Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, of Nigeria Limited, yesterday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that it would pay about N45 billion judgement debt awarded against it over oil spillages that occurred in 1970, which affected some Ogoni communities in Rivers State. The oil giant, through its lawyer, Afam Ejelam, told the court that it had ealier reached out to the communities to perfect all the modalities for the payment, in line with judgement of the High Court that was affirmed by the Supreme Court. However, counsel to Ogoni communities, Mr. Lucius Nwosu, SAN, drew attention of the court to the fact that contrary to the subsisting judgement, Shell insisted on lodging the money into the account of the Chief Registrar of the high court. Nwosu, who noted that the affected Ogoni communities secured victory after a legal tussle with the oil firm that spanned over 31 years, […]