Wiwa v. Shell charges Royal Dutch Shell, plc with complicity in egregious human rights abuses against Ogoni people in Nigeria. Shell financed, armed, and otherwise colluded with the Nigerian military forces that used deadly force and conducted massive, brutal raids against the Ogoni, with a motive of restarting oil operations on Ogoni territory. Shell was also involved in a strategy that resulted in the executions of nine Ogoni leaders who were working for environmental justice and human rights, including internationally-acclaimed writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. The Center for Constitutional Rights, EarthRights International and other human rights attorneys sued Shell for their role in the repression of the Ogoni and the executions of the “Ogoni Nine”.
The plaintiffs in the case include surviving family members of Ken Saro-Wiwa, John Kpuinen, Dr. Barinem Kiobel, Felix Nuate, Daniel Gbokoo, and Saturday Doobee, who were arrested, tortured, and eventually executed on November 10, 1995 along with three other Ogoni environmental and community leaders; Owens Wiwa, who was detained and tortured for his activities on behalf of the Ogoni; Karalolo Kogbara, a woman who was shot by Nigerian troops called in by Shell to guard personnel who were bulldozing her crops in preparation for a Shell pipeline; and James N-nah, whose brother Uebari was shot and killed by soldiers on Shell business as he walked home from market. The trial in federal court in New York City has been postponed until further notice.
Counsel in Wiwa v. Shell and other experts are available to speak about this case. Please contact ERI's Wiwa Campaign Coordinator, Paul Donowitz, to schedule an event or speaker. Visit the events page at www.WiwavShell.org to find events in your area.
