The Wire

Shell has settled out of court for $15.5 million US, over a case involving human rights abuses in Nigeria. Shell has been active in ogoniland on the Niger Delta since the 50’s and is responsible for egregious environmental destruction during this time. Perhaps the most tragic event during Shell’s history in Ogoniland was the sentencing to death of the political hero Ken Saro-Wiwa. Apart from activism, Ken was also popularized via his prolific fictional writing and for writing what was thought to be Africa’s most viewed soap opera. In this interview I spoke to Justine Nolan, a specialist in human rights law at the University of NSW and Jess Hill, who is a regular contributor for New Matilda.com and has followed the plight of the ogoni people since Ken’s death.