DutchNews.nl - Nigerian villagers try to sue Shell in Holland

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Nigerian villagers try to sue Shell in Holland

Thursday 03 December 2009

Nigerian villagers and a Dutch environmental group went to court in The Hague on Thursday in an effort to get their case against Shell heard in the Netherlands, newspaper Trouw reports.

The villagers and Friends of the Earth want to hold the Netherlands- based oil giant responsible for a leaking pipeline owned by its Nigerian subsidiary, which polluted farmland and woods in 2005.

Lawyer Michel Uiterwaal told the judges that Shell and its Nigerian arm are so closely linked that the court would be justified in taking the case. Shell says the case should be heard in Nigeria.

The court is expected to rule on whether the case can be heard in the Netherlands early next year.

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Readers' comments

Please please let this be fair and give these people what they deserve. Shell is responsible and should pay for this damage

By Mass | December 3, 2009 4:15 PM

I think it is outrageous what Shell is doing in Nigeria, greed for money does not know borders. I hope justice will win over money this time.

By Andy | December 4, 2009 9:03 AM

Poor Nigerians have been milked, oops sorry, OILED for years. I would like to see them get a little bit of their own wealth back, but NOT the government, I mean the very poor people!

Damn, I'm dreaming again!

By stevie | December 4, 2009 10:02 PM

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