4 Nigerians drag Shell to court in Netherlands

Sylvester Idowu, Warri - 16.05.2008

Four Nigerians have dragged Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) before a court in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for alleged massive damage caused by oil spills as a result of the activities of the company in their villages back home.

The plaintiffs, according to a release sent to the Nigerian Tribune from Amsterdam, were being sponsored by Friends of the Earth Netherlands and their Nigerian counterparts.

The release, dispatched by Prince Chima of Environment Rights Action, disclosed that the four Nigerians were encouraged by the Friends of the Earth, both in Armstadam and Nigeria, to take the case to the parent company of the oil giant for the damages caused in their villages.

It stated that Shell headquarters in the Netherlands was held liable by Friends of the Earth Netherlands/Nigeria and four Nigerians, for the massive damage that oil spills are causing to villages in the Niger Delta.