Nigerian farmer helps put Shell in the dock

International Justice Desk (RNW)

19 May 2011

Nigerian farmer helps put Shell in the dock

It is his first visit to the Netherlands; home of the company he says has destroyed his family’s investments in Nigeria: “Our fish ponds, our bakery, our land.” He wants them back. Today Eric Dooh will be sitting in a courtroom in The Hague as a unique legal case against Royal Dutch Shell resumes.

By Helene Michaud

Eric Dooh’s home village of Goi together with three other Niger Delta communities, supported by the environmental organisation Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie) launched proceedings against the oil giant in 2009. They are demanding that Shell Nigeria and its parent company in The Netherlands clean up the oil pollution in their region and compensate those who have lost their livelihoods. Initially Shell argued that a Dutch court could not rule on the activities of Shell Nigeria – but the court ruled in December 2009 that the case should go ahead. It’s the first time a Dutch corporation has been called to account in a Dutch court for damage done abroad.

The green parks, the urban infrastructure, trains that arrive on time: Eric Dooh was impressed by what he saw The Hague after attending Royal Dutch Shell plc’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. He was there to put his case to company’s shareholders.