Wiwa vs. Shell – $15.5m Out Of Court Settlement
The oil giant Shell has agreed to pay $15.5m (£9.7m) in settlement of a legal action in which it was accused of having collaborated in the execution of the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders of the Ogoni tribe of southern Nigeria.
The settlement is one of the largest payouts agreed by a multinational corporation charged with human rights violations. Shell and its Nigerian subsidiary SPDC have not conceded to or admitted any of the allegations, pleading innocent to all the civil charges. – The Guardian
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The Bilderbergers
After many postponements of the case, I’m not at all surprised with the final out-of-court verdict. As I see it, this is justanother Bilderberg >> drama, which have been orchestrated at the recent Bilderberg meeting in Vouliagmeni, Greece, which conveniently convened on 14-17 May 2009 – a week before the scheduled court case on May 27, 2009 in New York. Royal Dutch Shell was fully repesented at the meeting lead by Beatrix (shareholder), Jorma Ollila (Chairman), Lord John Kerr (Dy. Chairman), and Jeroen Van Der Veer (CEO). See attendees list >>
As you’d probably know, Royal Dutch Shell is a Bilderberg owned company. Beatrix, the Queen of Holland is the largest single share-holder, and a leading figure of the Bilderberg Secret Society, which was founded by her father Prince Bernhad.
This case posed a tricky situation for the Bilderbergers. Their might was challenged, and whilst their power could easily have squashed the case by simply ordering the presiding judge to do as told, but it was not to be, as the evidence against Shell was too strong and clear. To go through the trial is not really a problem, as they can afford it, and could even drag the case for the next 100 years. Since the case has come 13 years thus far, an out-of -court settlement is the best thing indeed to end the matter, which will also pave the way for maintaining innocence as no guilt will be recorded in court. Perfect!
As I see it, the Bilderbergers finally met their match. The campaigners of this case – wiwavshell.com, shellguilty.com, and the activist groups formed a formidable force to reckon with, and forced the mighty Bilderberg Shell to bow out disgracefully. This is a victory of sort for the Ogoni people, and the rest of the subjugated people of the world. The Bilderbergers now learned that they can’t win all the time! I’ve got a feeling that the Masters of the Bilderberg group aren’t too happy with the big-whips at Shell, and they probably got some kind of admonishment at the Greece meet.
Personally, I’m not too happy with the end result of this case, the award in dollars is puny, while the damage done in the Niger Delta and the Ogoni people is irreparable.
The point not to be missed and unnoticed is that Shell got away with hedious crimes albeit a “settlement“. The Beatles sang about money “Cant buy me Love“, and I’m sure John Lennon would re-write that song to “...but it can buy me lots of oil in Nigeria” if he’s alive.
Shell settled because they were scared, and they knew the evidence against them was overwhelming. They publicly say they had nothing to do with the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni, and yet there were documents and video that they fought hard to keep out of the public eye. – The Huffington Post
The Netherlands ought to be ashamed of itself, says former prime minister Ruud Lubbers. Ken Saro-Wiwa’s relatives had to go all the way to New York to seek justice from Shell. – NRC Handelsblad
Before we put all these behind us, lets take another look at the video-Shell-doesn’t-want-you-to-see
This settlement will not in itself immediately provide them with any restitution other than the consolation that with enough perseverance and commitment to justice, a better, safer, more humane and more prosperous world is possible. – Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr.
UPDATE – August 04, 2011
Shell accepts liability for two oil spills in Nigeria
Oil giant faces a bill of hundreds of millions of dollars following class action suit brought on behalf of communities in Bodo, Ogoniland
UPDATE
October 03, 2011
Shell accused of fuelling violence in Nigeria by paying rival militant gangs
Oil company rejects watchdog’s claims that its local contracts made it complicit in the killing of civilians. Read more >
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