Chevron Corp. filed a motion in December seeking reimbursement for litigation costs from the Nigerian plaintiffs who brought a human rights lawsuit (Bowoto v. Chevron) against the company. Although Chevron stated it is exercising its legal right to recoup costs, counsel for the plaintiffs believe the measure is primarily meant as a warning to future would-be plaintiffs. Theresa Traber, who represented the Nigerians at trial, stated "It's designed to say to the world, don't sue American corporations regardless of their practices. If you lose, we're going to go after you for costs. It doesn't have a real-world, concrete impact. It has a more political, ideological impact."

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