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FINAL EXTRACT ESTHER KIOBEL WRIT SERVED ON SHELL 28 JUNE 2017

By John Donovan

Published below are the final pages – 113 to 138 – inclusive, from the Writ served on multiple companies within the Royal Dutch Shell Group on 28 June 2017 on behalf of Esther Kiobel. These pages provide supporting information about the claim, including a List of Exhibits. The formatting is not 100% accurate, but the content is correct.

Extract begins

CLAIM

The claimants request the court to enter judgement, provisionally enforceable as far as possible:

  1. to rule that the defendants acted unlawfully towards the claimants and are jointly and severally liable to them for the damage that they have suffered and will suffer in the future as a result of the defendants’ unlawful actions, which damage is to be assessed during separate follow-up proceedings and settled according to the law, all this plus the statutory interest up to the date of settlement in full;
  2. to order the defendants within 21 days of the judgment to compel the CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, in any case the CEO of SPDC, to make a public apology for the role that Shell played in the events leading to the death of the claimants’ spouses and to publish the text of this statement clearly visible on its website, subject to a penalty of €20,000 per day (or a sum to be determined by the court in accordance with the proper administration of justice) that they fail to comply with this order;
  3. to order the defendants jointly and severally to pay the extrajudicial costs;
  4. to order the defendants, jointly and severally, to pay the costs of these proceedings, including the subsequent costs.

The cost of this: €80.42

LIST OF EXHIBITS

Documents claimants

  1. Affidavit of Marriage Esther and Barinem Kiobel, 8 mei 1991
  2. Letter to Barinem Kiobel from different Ogoni chiefs, 5 mei 1994
  3. Letter to Barinem Kiobel and letter from the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus, 6 May 1994
  4. Curriculum Vitae Barinem Nubari Kiobel
  5. Written transcript pressconference Lt. D.M. Komo, 22 mei 1994
  6. Marriage Agreement Nordu Eawo and mrs. Mkem Barima, 27 augustus 1981
  7. Marriage Agreement regarding the marriage of Paul B. Levula and mrs. Vureka Charity Levula, 8 augustus 1992
  8. Memorandum Barinem Kiobel, 2 juni 1994
  9. Memorandum Barinem Kiobel, 3 juni 1994 )
  10. Ukala, 24 January 1995, Official starvation of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ledum Mitee and dr. Kiobel
  11. Plea for clemency for dr. Barinem Kiobel, 7 november 1995
  12. Plea for clemency on behalf of our convicted husbands, 8 november 1995
  13. Termination of Appointment, D.M. Komo Kiobel, 29 juli 1994
  14. Declaration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Benin, 13 September 1996

Depositions and declarations

  1. Achebe, Emeka, Public Deposition vol. II, 6 February 2003
  2. Agbakoba, Olisa, declaration 2 May 2017
  3. Anderson, Brian, Public Deposition 13 February 2003
  4. Basnett, Mike, Public Deposition 18 June 2003
  5. Broek, Richard van den, Public Deposition 17 February 2003
  6. Cloughly, T., Public Deposition 11 February 2003
  7. Danwi, Charles Suanu, Affidavit, 16 February 1995
  1. Detheridge, Alan, Public Deposition vol. I, 3 February 2003
  2. Douglas, Oronto, Verklaring 4 February 2009
  3. Ejiogu, Boniface, Public Deposition vol. I, 22 May 2004
  4. Ejiogu, Boniface, Public Deposition vol. II, 23 May 2004
  5. Falana, Femi, Declaration 16 June 2017
  6. Franx, J.K., Declaration 21 March 1997
  7. Herkströter, Cornelius, Public Deposition 14 April 2004
  8. Idigma, Lebara Tony, Public Deposition, vol. I, 24 July 2003
  9. Imomoh, Egbert, Public Deposition vol. I, 17 June 2003
  10. Imomoh, Egbert, Public Deposition vol. II, 2 February 2004
  11. Ikari, Benson, Public Deposition, vol. I, 28 July 2003
  12. Israel, Blessing, Public Deposition 28 May 2004
  13. Jennings, John, Public Deposition 26 February 2004
  14. John-Miller, Anslem, Public Deposition 25 July 2003
  15. Kiobel, Esther, Public Deposition vol. I, 29 July 2003
  16. Kiobel, Esther, Public Deposition vol. II, 5 December 2003
  17. Kiobel, Esther, Declaration 12 February 1995
  18. Kponee, Raphael, Public Deposition 26 May 2004
  19. Kunenu, Dumle J. Public Deposition 14 May 2004
  20. Mitee, Ledum, Declaration 2 May 2017
  21. Moody-Stuart, Mark, Public Deposition 15Aapril 2004
  22. Neebani, Princewill Nathan, Public Deopsition 13 May 2004
  23. N-Nah, James B. Public Deposition 16 October 2003
  24. Nkpah, Naayone, Extra Deposition 19 March 2004
  25. Nwidoh, Vincent Tomebamri, Public Deposition 25 May 2004
  26. Nwidor, Israel, Public Deposition 24 September 2003
  1. Nwiyon, Eebu Jackson, Public Deposition 24 May 2004
  2. Okocha, O.C.J., Verklaring 8 December 2003
  3. Okonkwo, Dozie, Public Deposition 19 June 2003
  4. Omuku, Precious Sotonye, Public Deposition 19 April 2004
  5. Onyeagucha, Uche, Declaration 15 June 2017
  6. Osunde, Osazee, Public Deposition 22 October 2003
  7. Siegel, Jordan I., Declaration 5 February 2009
  8. Sprague, Robert, Public Deposition 10 February 2003
  9. Udofia, J.R. Public Deposition 24 October 2003
  10. Ukpong, George Akpan, Public Deposition vol. I, 23 October 2003
  11. Ukpong, George Akpan, Public Deposition vol. II, 24 March 2004
  12. Watts, Philip B., Public Depositions, vol. I, 16 April 2004
  13. Watts, Philip B., Public Deposition, vol. II, 17 April 2004
  14. Wifa, Victor Barima, Public Deposition 2 April 2004
  15. Wiwa, Owens, Public Deposition vol. I 9 December 2003
  16. Wiwa, Owens, Public Deposition vol. II 24 May 2004
  17. Wood, Nick, Public Deposition 16 June 2003

Internal Shell communications

  1. Minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of Shell Nigeria, 5 September 1991
  2. Minutes of meeting Conference 14 October 1992
  3. Letter from Philip Watts to – amongst others – Dick van den Broek (Regional Coordinator West Africa) and Mark Moody-Stuart (Group Managing Director), 4 December 1992
  4. Shell, Note from William Dick (HSEL, Head of Health, Security and Environment in Lagos, Shell Nigeria) to Godwin Omene (DMD), 23 February 1993
  5. File note Shell Nigeria, Egbert Imomoh (GME) meeting with Chief Rufus Ada George, 18 March 1993
  1. Telex Philip Watts to SIPC and SIPM, 11 May 1993
  2. Minutes of meeting with Willbros, SPDC, MOSOP and the Nigerian regime, 11 May 1993
  3. Urgent Telex Philip Watts to SIPC Londen and SIPM Den Haag, 11 May 1993
  4. Fax Emeka Achebe (SPDC) to SIPC London and SIPM The Hague, 12 May 1993
  5. Background Briefing Note SPDC with regards to the pressconference about Ken Saro-Wiwa of 24 May 1993 in The Hague
  6. Telex SIPC to Shell Nigeria, 2 June 1993
  7. Letter Philip Watts to Mervyn David, Security Advisory SIPC, forwarded to – amongst others – EP Mark Moody-Stuart , 13 August 1993
  8. Letter Philip Watts to the servicecompanies, forwarded to – amongst otehrs – EP Mark Moody-Stuart, 17 August 1993
  9. Message Imomoh to Philip Watts, 26 October 1993
  10. Shell Communication regarding Korokoro, 25 December 1995
  11. Shell Nigeria, Report on the Joint Location Visit by SPDC and Armed Forces Personnel to Ogoni Area Oil Fields, undated
  12. Background to the Nigerian Issue, 1993
  13. Ogoni Briefing Note: Recent Events at Korokoro, SPDC (Achebe) to Londen, 5 November 1993
  14. Shell Inter-office Memorandum Egbert Imonoh, 8 November 1993
  15. Appointment Brian Anderson as managing director of SPDC, 11 January 1994
  16. Message Brian Anderson to the servicecompanies, 17 January 1994
  17. Inter-office Memo Osazee Osunde, 25 Februari 1994
  18. Nigeria Update, 14 March 1994
  19. Briefing Notes regarding a meeting between Brian Anderson (Managing Director SPDC) and the Inspector General of Police, 17 March 1994
  20. Nigeria Update, 5 April 1994
  21. Nigeria Update, 13 April 1994
  22. Highlights of keynote address on “Major issues and challenges of energy investments in Nigeria” by mr. B.R.H. Anderson, Chairman and managing director of Shell Nigeria at the International energy Investment Seminar, Sheraton hotel and towers, Lagos, 19 April 1994, annexed to the Nigeria Update of 25 April 1994
  1. Nigeria Update, 2 May 1994
  2. Nigeria Update, 20 May 1994
  3. Nigeria Update, 30 May 1994
  4. Nigeria Update, 6 June 1994
  5. Nigeria Update 12 June 1994
  6. Nigeria Update, 27 June 1994
  7. Nigeria Update, 10 July 1994
  8. Nigeria Update, 20 July 1994
  9. Nigeria Update, 26 July 1994
  10. Nigeria Update, 28 July 1994
  11. Nigeria Update, 4 August 1994
  12. Nigeria Update, 5 August 1994
  13. Nigeria Update, 8 August 1994
  14. Nigeria Update, 12 August 1994
  15. Nigeria Update, 22 August 1994
  16. Nigeria Update, 23 August 1994
  17. Nigeria Update, 24 October 1994
  18. Message Alan Detheridge to Brian Anderson, 10 November 1994
  19. Briefing notes John Barry to Brian Anderson regarding the visit of Maarten van den Berg (indicator MGDMB), 1 February 1995
  20. Note Martin Christie to at least 16 recipients within the Shell-concern, 10 March 1995
  21. Internal Memo Alan Detheridge to Brian Anderson, 16 March 1995
  22. Record of the meeting held between the high-commissioner Alhaji Abubakar and four senior officials of Shell International Petroleum Copmany ltd at Shell Centre, London, 16 March 1995
  23. Nigeria Update, 16 April 1995
  1. Nigeria Update, 10 July 1995
  2. Nigeria Update, 23 July 1995

116a. Inter-office Memorandum, 22 August 1995

  1. Nigeria Update, 25 September 1995
  2. Message Alan Detheridge to Anderson, 27 September 1995
  3. Minutes of Meeting Conference, 11 October 1995
  4. Nigeria Update, 16 October 1995
  5. Telex M. Christie to the Nigeria Issue Contact Group, 23 October 1995
  6. Nigeria Update, 2 November 1995
  7. Telex Brian Anderson to Group Managing Director Maarten van den Bergh, 14 November 1995
  8. Minutes of Meeting CMD, 17 November 1995
  9. Telex Caroline Tipper, Media Relations Shell Centre, undated
  10. Nigeria Update, 6 December 1995
  11. Nigeria Update, 11 December 1995
  12. Letter Philip Watts to Brian Anderson, 24 January 1996

External Shell communications

  1. Letter J.R. Udofia (Divisional Manager East, SPDC) to the Commisioner of Police, 29 October 1990
  2. Letter J.R. Udofia (GME SPDC) to Rufus Ada George, 7 January 1993
  3. Letter Willbros to SPDC, 23 January 1993
  4. Minutes of meeting between Achebe, Owuku and Okonkwo, 15 and 16 February 1993 in London and 18 February 1993 in The Hague
  5. Letter J.R. Udofia to Rufus Ada George, 19 March 1993
  6. Letter MOSOP to Willbros, 7 April 1993
  7. Report of Willbros to SPDC, Review of events leading to the withdrawal of workforce from the Bomu Area, 3 May 1993
  8. Letter J.R. Udofia (GME SPDC) to Rufus Ada George, 4 May 1993
  1. Letter Philip Watts to Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie (Inspector General Of Police, Nigerian Police Force), 1 December 1993
  2. Letter Egbert Imomoh to Lt. Col. Komo, 13 December 1993
  3. Letter SPDC to A.J. Oyekan, Department of Petroleum Resources, 16 December 1993
  4. Letter V. Oteri to Inspector General of Police, 31 March 1994
  5. Letter V. Oteri to Inspector General of Police, 18 April 1994
  6. Letter Head of Media Relations servicecompany SIPC, Eric Nickson, to Ms G Brooks of the Wall Street Journal, 20 April 1994
  7. Draft regarding Media Briefing in London and Lagos for the Catma Films production broadcast on 23 May 1994
  8. Letter V. Oteri to The Inspector General of Police, 24 June 1994
  9. Letter The Inspector General of Police to Anderson, 27 July 1994
  10. SPDC, Response to Human Rights Watch/Africa publication – The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-study of Military Repression in South-Eastern Nigeria, July 1994
  11. Letter V. Oteri to The Inspector General of Police, 17 August 1994
  12. Letter The Inspector General of Police to V.A. Oteri, 18 August 1994
  13. Letter Chief G.O. Akinluyi to Shell, 8 September 1994
  14. Letter Anderson to Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie (Inspector General Of Police, Nigerian Police Force), 12 September 1994
  15. Letter I.O. Ahize, (Legal adviser Shell Nigeria), to O.C.J. Okocha, 1 December 1994
  16. Letter W.J.C. Dick to Humanitex (Nig) Ltd., 6 February 1995
  17. Payment Shell Nigeria to O.C.J. Okocha, 8 February 1995
  18. Letter Brian Anderson to OMPADEC, 30 March 1995
  19. Letter Eric Nickson (Head Media Relations) to Glen Ellis, 1 November 1996
  20. Letter Eric Nickson (Head Media Relations SIPC) to Paul Brown and Andy Rowell, 6 November 1996

Reports and public Shell documents

157. Annual accounts 1992 SPDC

  1. Annual accounts 1992 Shell International Petroleum Company
  2. Annual accounts 1992 Shell Transport and Trading
  3. Annual accounts 1995 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies
  4. Annual accounts 1995 Shell Transport and Trading
  5. Form 20-F United States Security and Exchange Commission 1995 Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij and The Shell Transport and Trading Company, plc
  6. Press release Shell, 31 October 1995
  7. Press release Brian Anderson, 8 November 1995
  8. Shell, “Clear thinking in troubled times”, 19 November 1995
  9. SPDC, Nigeria Brief: Ogoni and the Niger Delta, 1996
  10. Annual accounts 1997 Koninklijke Nederlandse Petroleum Maatschappij N.V.
  11. WCC Report “Ogoni – the struggle continues” Comments by Shell
  12. Group Governance Guide Royal Dutch/Shell Group, December 2001
  13. Annual Accounts 2004, Koninklijke Nederlandse Petroleum Maatschappij N.V.
  14. Form 20-F United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Royal Dutch Shell, plc, 2005
  15. Form 20-F United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Royal Dutch Shell, plc, 2015

Documentation Ogoni 9-trial

  1. Affidavit Barinem Kiobel in support of motion, application for bail, undated
  2. Counter-affidavit Barinem Kiobel, undated
  3. Written affidavit Barinem Kiobel
  4. PRC, Confirmation of the judgement of the Ogoni Civil Disturbance (Special) Tribunal
  5. Submissions Fawehinmi regarding the application for bail
  6. Summons to accused Barinem Nubari Kiobel, 28 January 1995
  7. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 6 February 1995
  1. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 21 February 1995
  2. Transcripts Ogoni 9 trial, 23 February 1995
  3. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 27 February 1995
  4. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 28 February 1995
  5. Transcripts Ogoni 9 trial, 29 March 1995
  6. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 7 April 1995
  7. Transcripts Ogoni 9 trial, 22 May 1995
  8. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 24 May 1995
  9. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 26 May 1995
  10. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 31 May 1995
  11. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 7 June 1995
  12. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial, 19 June 1995
  13. Transcripts Ogoni 9 trial, 21 June 1995
  14. Transcripts Ogoni 9-trial 22 June 1995
  15. Declaration Paul Levula

Law

United States

  1. Defendants’ supplemental responses to Wiwa plaintiffs’ second set of interrogatories persuant to the Court’s november 6, 2008 order, 17 december2008
  2. District Court of the Southern District of New York, per Judge Hellerstein, In Re Petition of Esther Kiobel, Opinion and Order Granting Petition, 24 januari 2017
  3. Kiobel, Individually and on behalf of her late husband Kiobel, et al. v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. et al., 133 S.Ct. 1659 (2013)
  4. Privilege log Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, et al, Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, et al, oktober 2003

Nigeria

  1. O.C. Okafor, Legal opinion Kiobel c.s. v. Royal Dutch Shell c.s. 21 Juni 2017
  2. Akinlade v. the State (2010) LPER 8632
  1. Akwa Savings and Loans Ltd v. Ime Wilson Udoumana & 2 Others (2009) LPELR-8861
  2. Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulhamid v. Talal Akar & Anor (2006) LPELR-24(SC) SC.240/2001
  3. Commissioner of Police, Ondo State & Anor v. Festus Ade Obolo (1989) LPELR- 20451(CA) CA/B/175/85
  4. Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Abiola [1994] FHCLR 156, 160.
  5. Gbemre v Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited and
    Others (2005) Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Benin Judicial Division, suit FHC/B/CS/53/05, 14 November 2005AHRLR 151 (NgHC 2005)
  6. Jide Arulogun v. Commissioner of Police, Lagos State & ORS (2016) LPELR- 40190(CA) CA/L/893/13
  7. Joseph Odogu v. Attorney-General of the Federation & ORS (1996) LPELR- 2228(SC), SC.58/1993
  8. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc & Godwin Obado v. Mrs. Philomena Ugo, Court of Appeal in Nigeria, 5 February 2015, CA/OW/146/201
  9. Kayode Babarinde & 2 Others v. The State (2014) 3 NWLR (Part 1395) p.568, r.o. 614
  10. Mrs. Precious Omonyahuy & Ors V. The Inspector-General Of Police & Ors, (2015) LPELR-25581(CA)
  11. Nosiru Bello V. A.G, Oyo State (1986) 5 NWLR (Pt.45) 828
  12. Osuagwu v. The State (2013) LPELR-19823 at p.33, paragraphs A-F
  13. S.P.D.C (NIG) Ltd v. Olarewaju (2002) 16 NWLR (Part 792) 38
  14. S.P.D. C v. Olarewaju (2008) LPELR 3046, pp.26-28
  15. The State v. James Gwangwan (Suit No. 504/2012, Supreme Court of Nigeria, 3 July 2015 (unpublished)
  16. Constitution Federal Republic of Nigeria (relevante delen).Fundamental Rights (enforcement and Procedure) Rules 2009

Regional

  1. African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
  2. African Commission on Human and Peoples rights, Nigeria: International Pen and Others (on behalf of Saro-Wiwa) v Nigeria (2000) AHRLR 212 (ACHPR 1998)

218. African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights, ACHPR/COMM/A044/1, 27 May 2002

Reports

  1. Amnesty International Nigeria: The Ogoni Trials and Detentions, 15 September 1995
  2. Conclusions of the Government of Rivers State on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Umuechem Disturbances, March 1991
  3. Greenpeace, Shell-shocked: The Environmental and Social Costs of Living with Shell in Nigeria, July 1994
  4. Human Rights Watch, Nigeria the Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, July 1995
  5. Human Rights Watch, The Price of Oil: Corporate Responsibility and Human Rights Violations in Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities, 1999
  6. Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Umuechem Disturbances, Rivers State of Nigeria, January 1991
  7. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria Fundamental Rights Denied, Report of the trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, Article 19, June 1995
  8. Project Underground, All for Shell by Andy Rowell and Stephen Kertzmann, first version 1 November 1996, last updated 4 March 1997
  9. Transparancy International, “Nigeria: Evidence of corruption and the influence of social norms”, 26 september 2014
  10. Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, February 17-26, 1995, 1 May 1995

International organisations

European Union

  1. European Parliament, Resolution regarding human rights violations in Nigeria, 16 February 1995
  2. European Political Documentation Bulletin 1993, vol. 9, European University Institute
  3. Common position 20 November 1995 regarding Nigeria, defined by the Council on the basis of Article J.2 of the Treaty on European Union
  4. Written question No. 3578/95 by Edith Müller, Wilfried Telkämper to theCouncil. EU arms embargo against Nigeria, OJ C 280, 25 September 1996

United Nations

  1. Letter dated 23 May 1996 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the General Assembly, 28 May 1996, A/50/960
  2. Note by the Secretary General on the Situation of Human Rights in Nigeria, 22 October 1996, A/51/538
  3. Report by the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions van 7 December 1993, E/CN.4/1994/7
  4. Report by the Special Rapporteur Bacre Waly Ndiaya on Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, van 14 December 1994, E/CN.4/1995/61
  5. Report by the Special Rapporteur Bacre Waly Ndiaya, on Extraditial, summary or arbitrary executions van 25 January 1995, E/CN.4/1996/4
  6. United Nations Environment Programme, Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, 2011

Literature

  1. A. Rowell, Ja.Marriott en L. Stockman, “The Next Gulf: London, Washington and Oil Conflict in Nigeria”, Londen: 2005
  2. C.A. Lutz, “The Niger Delta Conflict and Military Reform in Nigeria”, in “The Politics of Military Reform” J. Rüland et al., 2012
  3. F.A.R. Adeleke & O.F. Olayanju “The role of the judiciary in combating corruption: aiding and inhibiting factors in Nigeria”, Commonwealth Law Bulletin, 2014, 40(4)
  4. I. Okonta en O. Douglas, Where vultures feast: Shell, Human Rights and Oil, Sierra Club Books, 2003
  5. O. Oluduro, Oil Exploitation and Human Rights Violation in Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities, dissertation, Intersentia, 2014
  6. J.G. (Jedrzej Georg) Frynas, Oil in Nigeria: Conflict and Litigation between Oil Companies and Village Communities
  7. K. Sluytermann, Geschiedenis van Koninklijke Shell, part 3
  8. U. Idemudia, Assessing corporate–community involvement strategies in the Nigerian oil industry: An empirical analysis, Resources policy, 34(3), 2009

Videos

247. Videos Ogoni 9 Trial (tape 1-10)

  1. Catma Film (tape 4)
  2. Documentary The Drilling Fields, 23 May 1994, directed by Glenn Ellis, produced by Catma Films
  3. Documentary Delta Force, 1995, directed by Glen Ellis, produced by Catma Films for Channel 4
  4. Pictures of scars Baribor Bera
  5. In Remembrance Ken Saro-Wiwa, directed by: Glenn Ellis, 1996, Channel 4
  6. Oputa Panel Videos (part 1 – 3)
  7. Video pressconference 22 May 1994

Press articles

  1. Frank Kane, Steven Haynes, Christina Lamb, “Shell axes ‘corrupt’ Nigeria staff”, The Sunday Times, 17 December 1995
  2. Howard W. French, “Nigeria Executes Critic of Regime; Nations Protest”, The New York Times, 11 November 1995
  3. Ian Black, Cameron Duodo, Anthony Bevins, Michael Durham and Polly Ghazi, “Shell fuels outrage over Saro-Wiwa with $ 4 billion Nigerian gas deal”, The Observer , 12 November 1995)
  4. Polly Ghazi and Cameron Duodu, “How Shell tried to buy Berettas for Nigerians”, The Observer, 11 February 1996
  5. Polly Ghazi, “Shell refused to help Saro-Wiwa unless protest called off”, The Observer, 19 November 1995

Miscellaneous

  1. Letter Ken Saro-Wiwa to President Abacha, 1 November 1993
  2. Letter Ken Saro-Wiwa to his brother Owens Wiwa, 13 May 1995
  3. Letter of The Inspector General of Police to Akinluyi, 17 August 1994
  4. Document of the British High Commission in Lagos regarding the NLNG- project, January 1994
  5. Document of the British High Commission in Lagos regarding the NLNG- project, October 1994
  6. Embassy Cable no. 09ABUJA1907_a, Shell MD discusses the Status of the Proposed Petroleum Industry Bill”, 20 October 2009
  1. Issue paper Nigeria, Chronology of events January 1992 – February 1995, Immigration and refugee board of Canada
  2. List of wanted MOSOP-members, 4 March 1996
  3. Price Quotation XM Federal Limited, 1 August 1994
  4. Price Quotation XM Federal Limited, 18 August 1994

130

133

15. TIMELINE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS

1958

Shell begins the oil extraction and production in Ogoniland

1990

MOSOP (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People) is incorporated by Ken Saro-Wiwa.

SPDC’s request for assistance of the Mobile Police Force against demonstrations in the village of Umuechem leads to dozens of deaths and almost five hundred destroyed houses.

1993

January: at least 300,000 Ogoni protest the consequences of the oil exploitation by Shell. The many demonstrations in Ogoniland force SPDC to withdraw.

January-February: Shell returns to Ogoniland under the protection of soldiers to lay the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

February: Meetings in London between representatives of the service companies and SPDC regarding the situation in Ogoniland and the role of Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP. They agree “to keep each other more closely informed to ensure that movements of key players, what they say and to whom is more effectively monitored”.

4 May: At SPDC’s request, governor Ada-George sends an army unit to Ogoniland, which forcibly ends a protest against Shell, killing one of the protestors.

July – April 1994: Hundreds of Ogoni are killed and thousands are left homeless in ‘ethnic conflicts’ in which the army is involved and which are logistically supported by Shell.

26 August – 17 November: Ernest Shonekan, former SPDC board member, ruled as interim President for three months.

October: SPDC enters Ogoniland under false pretences, protected by 26 Nigerian soldiers led by Major Paul Okuntimo, in order to determine the safety measures that would be required to resume the oil production in Ogoniland. In Korokoro, the visit results in a violent confrontation with the local population, in which two villagers are killed.

17 November – 8 June 1998: Sani Abacha has taken power. Shonekan acts as Vice President.

November-December: The European Union announces sanctions against Nigeria, inter alia a limitation of the arms trade.

1 December: SPDC Managing Director Philip Watts requests that the Nigerian Police Inspector General increases SPDC’s safety by deploying 1,200 police officers, known as the Oil Production Area Police Command. In exchange, Shell promises to pay the costs, which include salaries, accommodation, uniforms, automatic weapons and vehicles.

136

13 December: In a letter to Lt. Col. Komo, de Military Administrator van Rivers State, Shell points out the economic consequences of the protests in Ogoniland and identifies the places where protests are being held.

28 December-5 January: MOSOP leaders Ledum Mitee and Owens Wiwa are detained and Saro-Wiwa is placed under house arrest to prevent massive protests during Ogoni Day.

1994

The Rivers State Internal Security Task Force (RSISTF) is incorporated. Major Paul Okuntimo (later Lt. Col) is appointed as commander.

25 February 1994: Shell pays Okuntimo and his militia an additional allowance for their acts in Korokoro and “as a show of gratitude and motivation for a sustained favourable disposition towards SPDC in future assignments”.

At the discretion of the Nigerian regime, SPDC negotiates with an arms dealer regarding the import of military arms with a value of more than half a million dollars.

Intensive exchanges occur between SPDC, the service companies and the parent companies, inter alia regarding the purchase of weapons, disturbances in Ogoniland and Ken Saro-Wiwa.

19 April: Egbert Imomoh (General Manager East SPDC) meets with Lt. Col. Komo, the Military Administrator of Rivers State.

21 April: The regime internally announces Operation Restore Order in Ogoniland.

2 May: In a meeting with Abacha, Managing Director Brian Anderson points out the Ogoni and Saro-Wiwa as the parties responsible for destroying Shell facilities in Ogoniland.

12 May: Okuntimo writes the following in his ‘restricted’ memo to Komo: “Shell operations still impossible unless ruthless military operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to commence”.

21 May: Four Ogoni leaders are murdered in Gokana.
22 May: Many Ogoni leaders – including Ken Saro-Wiwa and Barinem Kiobel – are

arrested by order of Komo and detained without charges.

May-August: The RSISTF undertakes punitive expeditions in at least sixty villages in Ogoniland, in which numerous people are molested and murdered and houses are looted and destroyed. Hundreds of Ogoni are arrested and detained in RSISTF detention facilities.

November: Incorporation of the Ogoni Civil Disturbances Special Tribunal to try the Ogoni leaders for the murder of four Ogoni chiefs.

1995  

6 February: Start of the Ogoni 9 trial. Attorney Okocha reports with a watching brief for SPDC.

137

16 and 27 February: Two witnesses testify under oath that they have been bribed to make incriminating statements in exchange for money and a job with Shell. According to the witnesses, Shell’s attorney Okocha was present at the bribery.

16 March: Meeting in London between Shell officials and representatives of the Nigerian regime. Agreement to coordinate the media policy regarding the Ogoni 9 trial.

March: Shell incorporates the Nigeria Issue Contact Group to implement a Group Wide Action Plan.

16 April: In an internal memo, Anderson expresses the expectation that Saro-Wiwa will be sentenced to death.

April-May: Brian Anderson negotiates in three meetings with Owens Wiwa regarding the fate of the suspects in the Ogoni 9 trial. Anderson offers to influence the outcome of the Ogoni 9 trial if MOSOP ceases its international protests. From his prison cell, Ken Saro-Wiwa rejects Shell’s offer.

June: Independent observer Birnbaum publishes a damaging report on human rights violations at the Ogoni 9 trial.

22 June: The attorneys of the suspects in the Ogoni 9 trial withdraw in protest.

23 July: Anderson and Abacha discuss the overdue payments of the regime and future projects. Anderson explains to Abacha that Shell cannot openly support the regime due to international pressure.

31 October: Nine of the fifteen suspects are sentenced to death by the Special Tribunal. 10 November: The condemned persons, including Barinem Kiobel, Baribor Bera,

Nordu Eawo and Paul Levula, are executed.

November-December: the international community imposes sanctions on Nigeria. The World Bank withdraws from projects in Nigeria.

November-December: the NLNG project, a collaborative venture between – primarily – Shell and the regime is settled.

8 December: Abacha thanks Anderson for the fact that “Shell had remained steady under pressure” and rejoices at the NLNG deal.

1996

8 November: Various surviving relatives of inter alia Ken Saro-Wiwa and victims of the violence in Ogoniland sue Shell before the American court.

2002

1 September: Esther Kiobel and eleven other (surviving relatives of) Nigerian activists from the Ogoni area sue Shell before the American court.

2009

Shell settles with the plaintiffs in the American Wiwa lawsuit for an amount of USD 15.5 million.

2013 The U.S. Supreme Court decides that it does not have any jurisdiction in the American Kiobel case.

138

Extracts end

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE WRIT

The above pages are extracted from the English translation of a 138 page Writ of Summons served on Royal Dutch Shell companies on 28 June 2017 by Dutch Human Rights law firm Prakken d’Oliveira. They represent four widows including Esther Kiobel who hold Shell liable for the murder of their husbands individual Ogoni leaders now known collectively as the ‘Ogoni Nine‘. MOSOP Chairman Ken Saro-Wiwa was one of the group. For the purpose of this online publication, the footnotes are indicated in red text.

Disclosure: The lead claimant Esther Kiobel, Channa Samkalden of the Dutch human rights law firm Prakken d’Oliveira representing the widows, and the acclaimed human rights organisation Amnesty International, have all acknowledged the involvement of John Donovan in bringing *this case. (*See Writ of Summons in English and Dutch served on Shell 28 June 2017 – copy obtained from US Pacer public electronic court records)

Shell blanket denial: Shell’s blanket denial of any responsibility for the ‘Ogoni Nine’ executions and related events/allegations can be read here. The denial does not explain why Shell settled for $15.5 million in June 2009 a case legally and substantively the same.

RELATED ARTICLES

The Guardian: Shell pays out $15.5m over Saro-Wiwa killing: 9 June 2009

Shell to Pay $15.5 Million to Settle Nigerian Case: The New York Times: 8 June 2009

Shell, Nigerian families settle suit for $15.5 million: Reuters: 8 June 2009

Shell to pay $15.5 million to settle Nigeria claims: CNN: 8 June 2009

Shell Settles Human Rights Suit for $15.5 Million: Fox News/AssociatedPress: 8 June 2009

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

One Comment

  1. Anonymous says:

    This are all the reasons why SHELL Fought so hard for the Case not to be heard at all in the Court but, GOD in Heaven surpass them and let it go forward with the help of Mr JOHN DONVAN, AMNESTY INTERNATIONALS, HUMAN RIGHT ADVOCATES all over the WORLD. I appreciate everyone that Joined hands together to save the OPPRESSED. GOD in heaven BLESS YOU MIGHTYFULLY. To GOD be the Glory. I Prayed that SHELL Listen to the Cry of the OPPRESSED and start during the right thing in OGONI and the rest of NIGER DELTA

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