Shell Pays The Money And Runs

Shell has dodged the court case over Ogoni deaths in Nigeria, but its cash settlement is still a big win in the fight against corporate human rights abuses, writes Jess Hill

On 3 June 2009, US District Judge Kimba Wood of the Federal Court in Manhattan adjourned the Wiwa v Shell trial indefinitely.

On Monday 8 June, a settlement was reached: $US15.5 million to compensate for nine dead men, one amputated arm, one life led in exile, several others tortured and detained and 13 years of legal fees. Perhaps the subject of the final email to Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr confirming the settlement says it best: "It's done???"

Wiwa v Shell is only the second case to be settled under the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), a US federal statute that enables victims of human rights abuse — wherever it happens

Shell going on trial. The Wiwa v Shell victory has been settled against all odds, and will hopefully be remembered in years to come as the case that opened the floodgates