The UK Supreme Court has begun hearing a case that could decide whether Shell will be held accountable for compensation over a 2011 oil spill in Nigeria. The case concerns nearly 30,000 Nigerians who claim that their land was severely damaged by the spill in Bayelsa and Delta State. In an earlier ruling, London’s Court of Appeal rejected the claims, stating that the case had been brought too long after the spill had happened.
Under English law, an individual can sue for damages to property for a maximum of six years after an alleged incident. The 2011 spill occurred about 120km (75 miles) off the coast of Nigeria and lasted several hours before the pipeline was closed and oil stopped. At least 40,000 barrels leaked into the sea, making it one of the largest spills in Nigeria.
The Nigerian communities argue that the oil devastated their shoreline and has continued to cause widespread damage to their land and water supply. They insist they should be allowed to seek compensation. The case could have major implications for Shell’s future liabilities in Nigeria and beyond.
The Niger Delta region has suffered significant environmental damage due to the operations of multinational oil companies, including Shell. However, the company claims that many of the spills are caused by sabotage and illegal refining of crude oil by local communities. Shell has previously stated that it cleans up spills regardless of their cause.
The Supreme Court case is expected to take several days, and a ruling is expected to be delivered in the coming months. The outcome of the case will determine whether the Nigerian communities can seek compensation from Shell for damage caused by the 2011 oil spill.
