Following the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Shell Petroleum Company has agreed to pay the sum of N45.9B to the people of the Ogoni, Rivers state for loses suffered due to oil spillages that have ravaged their communities.
Shell Petroleum Company through its lawyer, Chief A. O Ejelamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria announced the decision to pay up the money while addressing Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja on Wednesday.
The senior lawyer sought order of Justice Mohammed to permit payment of the debt through the Chief Registrar of the court in a bank account to be opened for the purpose.
Final decision to pay up the money was endorsed by Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High court Abuja.
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Although the oil company had sought to pay through the Chief Registrar of the court, it was eventually agreed that the amount be paid to the aggrieved people through their lawyer.
The amount was awarded in favour of Ogoni people by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Lagos division of the Federal High court on June 14, 2010 in his judgment in a suit filed by the Ogoni people.
However, the Ogonis waived the interest on the principal amount as concession agreed upon during reconciliation.
