The Wire

A David and Goliath battle that has raged for over a decade is about to be heard in the American Courts. Tomorrow court proceedings start against Dutch Shell. The company is accused of complicity in human rights abuses against the Ogoni people in Nigeria, including the death of prominent activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was hung in 1995. They have also been accused of arming and transporting the Nigerian army that violently quelled opposition to the Shell oil mine on Ogoni land. If convicted it will be the first time a multi national company has been found guilty of human rights abuses.