Dutch-Nigerian on trial for plotting to blow up Shell pipeline

Radio Netherlands

2 September 2011

Dutch-Nigerian on trial for plotting to blow up Shell pipeline

The trial begins in Rotterdam on Monday of Dutch-Nigerian activist Sunny Ofehe. He’s been charged with plotting to blow up oil pipelines operated by Royal Dutch Shell in Nigeria.

In an exclusive interview with RNW, Mr. Ofehe and his lawyers spoke about the charges against him.

Early this year Mr. Ofehe was arrested in the Netherlands and detained for two weeks on suspicion of people smuggling and forgery. Formal charges were finally laid in early August when a new charge was also added – conspiring to commit an act of terrorism. Mr Ofehe, who is 39, is accused of making plans to blow up several pipelines operated by the Anglo-Dutch oil concern Shell in the Niger Delta.