Ogoni Clean Up is Nigeria’s Ridiculous Image Laundering and Hypocritical Oil Resumption Programme read more

The MOSOP President said the gradual militarization of Ogoniland only remind the Ogoni people of the evil Shell and  Nigeria have done to us in the past which led to the death of over 4,000 Ogonis.

MOSOP STATEMENT

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) says it is becoming increasingly clear that the Nigerian government is not bothered about the genocide against the Ogoni people in Nigeria.

Speaking in Bodo, Gokana local government area of Rivers State on Sunday, March 17, 2019, president of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke said the Nigerian government does not care about the poor living conditions in Ogoniland. He accused the Nigerian government of using the Ogoni cleanup program to deceive the people while their real intention is to resume oil production in the area without the consent of the Ogoni people. read more

Shell’s CEO Ben van Beurden bows to Russian Leader Putin: Good Friday, 18 April 2014

Yesterday the Dutch newspaper Financieele Dagblad published a truly devastating article Shell gas leaks, fires and accidents about Shell playing fast and loose with the health and lives of its employees. Today there is mass coverage of the outrage over the £17m pay package awarded to Shell CEO Ben van Beurden. The revulsion also has to be seen against the damaging litigation engulfing the energy giant, including OPL 245 corruption charges and a related raid on Shell HQ involving BvB and his then CFO, Simon Henry. Both were embarrassed by a wiretapped conversation between them discussing obstructing the investigation and the revelation by BvB that Shell had hired hapless former MI6 “people” who had been cavalier with Shell’s OPL 245 secrets. Why is Shell rewarding such behaviour, which is completely at odds with Shell’s claimed business principles?  

Shell chief’s pay doubles to 143 times average UK employee’s

The chief executive of oil-company Shell saw his pay more than double last year to more than €20m (£17m). Ben van Beurden’s total salary in 2017, which was approximately €9m, prompted a shareholder revolt. The raise comes as the company increased its annual profits by almost $10bn and is largely down to long-term incentives kicking in. Dutchman Mr van Beurden’s pay is now 143 times larger than the average Shell employee in the UK. read more

Shell Annual Report 2018: CLIMATE CHANGE LITIGATION

CLIMATE CHANGE LITIGATION
In the USA, 12 lawsuits have been filed by several municipalities and one state against oil and gas companies, including Royal Dutch Shell plc. The plaintiffs seek damages for claimed harm to their public and private infrastructure from rising sea levels allegedly due to climate change caused by the defendants’ fossil fuel products. A similar suit has been filed by a crab fishing industry group claiming harm to their fisheries as a result of alleged ocean-related impacts of climate change. Management believes the outcome of these matters should be resolved in a manner favourable to Shell, however, there remains a high degree of uncertainty regarding the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits, as well as their potential effect on future operations, earnings, cash flows and Shell’s financial condition. read more

…there remains a high degree of uncertainty regarding the potential outcome of some of these pending lawsuits, as well as their potential effect on future operations, earnings, cash flows and Shell’s financial condition.

Shell Annual Report 2018: PESTICIDE LITIGATION

PESTICIDE LITIGATION
Shell Oil Company (SOC), along with another agricultural chemical pesticide manufacturer and several distributors, has been sued by public and quasi- public water purveyors alleging responsibility for groundwater contamination caused by applications of chemical pesticides. There are approximately 45 such cases currently pending. These suits assert various theories of strict liability and negligence, and seek to recover actual damages, including drinking well treatment and remediation costs. Most assert claims for punitive damages. While the Company continues to vigorously defend these lawsuits, a new environmental regulatory standard became effective in the State of California, where a majority of the suits are pending. The new standard requires public water systems state wide to perform quarterly or monthly sampling of their drinking water sources for a chemical contained in certain pesticides, beginning in January 2018. Water systems deemed out of compliance with the new five parts per trillion regulatory standard must take corrective action to resolve the exceedance or take the potable water source out of service. In response to this new regulatory standard, the Company is monitoring the sampling results to determine the number of wells potentially impacted. Based on the claims asserted and SOC’s track record, with regard to amounts paid to resolve varying claims, management does not expect the outcome of these lawsuits pending at December 31, 2018, to have a material adverse impact on Shell. However, there remains a high degree of uncertainty regarding the potential outcome of some of these pending lawsuits, as well as their potential effect on future operations, earnings, cash flows and Shell’s financial condition. read more

In February 2019, we were informed by the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office (DPP) that they are nearing the conclusion of their investigation and are preparing to prosecute Royal Dutch Shell plc for criminal charges directly or indirectly related to the 2011 settlement of disputes over OPL 245 in Nigeria. Investigations by authorities in other jurisdictions are ongoing.

Any violation of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other relevant anti-bribery, anti-corruption or anti-money laundering legislation could have a material adverse effect on Royal Dutch Shell plc’s earnings, cash flows and financial condition.

Shell Annual Report 2018: NIGERIAN LITIGATION

NIGERIAN LITIGATION
Shell subsidiaries and associates operating in Nigeria are parties to various environmental and contractual disputes brought in the courts of Nigeria, England and the Netherlands. These disputes are at different stages in litigation, including at the appellate stage, where judgements have been rendered against Shell entities. If taken at face value, the aggregate amount of these judgements could be seen as material. Management, however, believes that the outcomes of these matters will ultimately be resolved in a manner favourable to Shell. However, there remains a high degree of uncertainty regarding these cases, as well as their potential effect on future operations, earnings, cash flows and Shell’s financial condition. read more

…peace-loving Ogoni citizens whose lives have been rendered miserable by years of state repression and environmental devastation from Shell’s long years of pollution.

MOSOP Rejects Oil Resumption, NNPC/NPDC Take Over of Ogoni Oilfields

Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) wishes to express its strong rejection of the directive by the Nigerian President for the NNPD/NPDC takeover of Ogoni oilfields and the resumption of oil production in Ogoni as reflected in a communication by the Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari.

Indeed, it is appalling that despite the severe impact this directive will have on the lives of the Ogoni people, this decision had been taken without consultations with the Ogoni people nor were our inputs sought in such a crucial issue that affect our lives. read more

By John Donovan

Shell internal email correspondence relating to the OPL 245 oil deal has been very revealing and may seal the fate of defendants in the Italian trial, including the former MI6 people hired by Shell. Their names, Guy Colgate and John Copleston, appeared on the emails. read more

By John Donovan

Printed below are extracts from Shell’s Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016 relating to the OPL 245 corruption scandal. Shell confirmed that authorities “in various countries” are investigating its investment in Nigerian Oil Block OPL 245. 

Page 15

Authorities in various countries are investigating our investment in Nigerian oil block OPL 245 and the 2011 settlement of litigation pertaining to that block. On January 27, 2017, the Nigeria Federal High Court issued an Interim Order of Attachment for oil block OPL 245, pending the conclusion of the investigation. Shell has applied to discharge this order on constitutional and procedural grounds. On February 14, 2017, we received notice of the request of indictment from the Italian prosecution office in Milan with respect to this matter. read more

Both companies are also in court in London, where the Nigerian government is suing for more than $1 billion in an attempt to reclaim the money it says belongs to the Nigerian people.

Published: Monday, 04 March 2019

Royal Dutch Shell is to be prosecuted in the Netherlands over alleged corruption in a US$1.3 billion Nigerian oil deal, a case already standing trial in Italy.

Shell announced on Friday that the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office is preparing to prosecute “for criminal charges directly or indirectly related” to the deal. read more

The Ogoni Case is Sufficient Reason to Fight Injustice in Our World

The case and painful experiences of the Ogoni people signal the dangers faced by peoples all over our world and represent real threats to nationalities who seek peace, freedom and justice for their peoples.

In some cases, as with the Ogoni, those who seek justice for their people’s face real persecution even from those who should protect them. The Ogoni case may represent the most outstanding case of state-sponsored persecution against a fight for social justice. It is however commendable that even in the face of death, the Ogoni people have resiliently stood for their demand for justice. read more

The Dutch Public Prosecution believes Shell should be prosecuted because the company could have prevented the accident. ‘If Shell had taken all the measures, such an explosion could not have happened. By acting in this way, they have put workers and people in the environment at risk, ‘reports a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service. The criminal case against Shell is scheduled at the court session in Den Bosch on 14 and 16 May 2019.

Printed below is an English translation of an article published today by the Dutch Financial Times, Financieele Dagblad.

Shell also in court because of an explosion at Moerdijk

By Bert van Dijk and Vasco van der Boon

Shell is not only under fire from the authorities because of possible bribery in Nigeria, but also because of an explosion in June 2014 at Shell Moerdijk. The Public Prosecutor has summoned Shell Dutch Chemical for this explosion. This is reported by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) in response to questions from the FD.

Except for the explosion, Shell will also be brought to justice for the temporary excessive emissions of the toxic substance ethylene oxide in 2015 and 2016.

Nigeria

Earlier Friday it was announced that the OM is preparing a criminal case against Shell for corruption in Nigeria. That criminal investigation into Shell has not yet been completed, but according to the current investigation, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there are already prosecutable offences. ‘We will continue’, according to the spokesman on the Nigeria issue. “Only the way in which is not yet clear.” The investigation could result in a settlement or a criminal case. read more

The investigation into corruption by Shell in Nigeria has not yet been completed, but according to the current investigation, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there are already prosecutable offences.

Printed below is an English translation of an article published today by the Dutch Financial Times, Financieele Dagblad.

Public Prosecution Service is taking Shell’s attention

Bert van Dijk and Vasco van der Boon

The Dutch State will prosecute Shell in two separate cases. The oil and gas multinational is under fire from the Public Prosecution Service (OM) because of possible bribery in Nigeria in 2011 and because of an explosion in June 2014 at Shell Moerdijk. The Public Prosecution Service has announced this on Friday.

Shell has already been summoned for the explosion in Moerdijk. Shell is also being taken to court for a leak of the toxic substance ethylene oxide.

Corruption in Nigeria

The investigation into corruption by Shell in Nigeria has not yet been completed, but according to the current investigation, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there are already prosecutable offences. read more

Shell is being charged with a major explosion at the Moerdijk plant in 2014. Apart from the explosion, the oil and gas company was also summoned for the leakage of the toxic ethylene oxide from November 2015 to January 2016 in the same industrial area. The Public Prosecutor confirmed that Friday.

English translation of a Dutch article published by ncr.nl

Prosecuting Shell after Moerdijk explosions

Erik van der Walle: March 2, 2019

Shell is being charged with a major explosion at the Moerdijk plant in 2014. Apart from the explosion, the oil and gas company was also summoned for the leakage of the toxic ethylene oxide from November 2015 to January 2016 in the same industrial area. The Public Prosecutor confirmed that Friday.

On June 3, 2014 a reactor of the factory in Moerdijk exploded and other explosions and a fire followed by an unexpected reaction between substances. Due to the calamity, two people were injured. The damage went into the millions. The Dutch Safety Board concluded that the company did not pay enough attention to the risks. read more

Justice invaded the Shell headquarters in The Hague three years ago. Last March, Shell itself filed a report against the Australian former director Peter Robinson, who may have been guilty of corruption in Nigeria. However, that case is about another oilfield.

English translation of an article published today in Dutch by nrc.nl

‘Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) starts a criminal case against Shell for bribery in Nigeria’

It is a $ 1.3 billion oil deal from 2011, according to Shell. Some of that money would have ended up with high officials.

Steven Musch: March 1, 2019 at 9:58

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service is going to prosecute oil company Shell for illegal activities in Nigeria, reports the oil company on its website.

The Public Prosecution confirms this but does not yet want to say whether and when a summons is issued.

The company has been informed by the judicial authorities that they are working on criminal prosecution and that the investigation has almost been completed. read more

In September 2017, four foreign NGOs filed a declaration in the Netherlands against Shell, Van Beurden and three (former) directors. According to lawyer Barbara van Straaten of the law firm Prakken d’Oliveira, this declaration was added to the current investigation by the Public Prosecution Service.: Almost a year ago, Shell itself filed a statement against former director Peter Robinson. According to the group, the Australian would have been guilty of corruption in Nigeria. Robinson is one of the four former Shell employees who stand trial in Milan. Justice in the US and stock market watchdog SEC were also informed.

English translation of a Dutch article published today by ncr.nl

The question is: did Shell know that the money ended up with the politicians?

Corruption The bulk of the purchase price for the Nigerian oil field OPL 245 ended up in the pockets of politicians. Justice thinks it has enough evidence to prosecute Shell.

Hester van SantenErik van der Walle: 1 March 2019 at 1:00

Shell is being prosecuted in the Netherlands because of possible corruption in Nigeria. The oil and gas company announced on Friday morning that it has been informed about this by the Public Prosecution Service (OM). According to a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service, “offences” have been committed and there is “enough to prosecute”. The spokesman states that the investigation has almost been completed. read more