Chevron to face trial in US over Killings in the Niger Delta oil region

Chevron Nigeria Ltd is to stand trial later this year in the United States for the alleged murder of villagers in the Niger Delta region in two separate incidents in 1998 and 1999. According to the Nigerian Daily, THISDAY NEWS, “the lawsuit was brought against Chevron eight years ago in San Francisco Federal Court by nine Nigerian plaintiffs for alleged wrongful deaths, torture, and other abuses in the two incidents in 1998 and 1999. According to the paper, “the United States (US) District Court Judge in San Francisco, Susan Illston, ruled that Chevron was directly involved in the alleged attacks by acting in consonance with Nigerian government security forces, paving the way for a trial which the company had made spirited attempts to avoid for eight years. Furthermore, the paper reported that, “Judge Illston “found evidence that CNL [Chevron Nigeria Limited] personnel were directly involved in the attacks; CNL transported the GSF [Nigerian government security forces], CNL paid the GSF; and CNL knew that GSF were prone to use excessive force.”

It would be a great testament of hope and “ubuntu” if this case finally gives birth to the justice that the people of the Niger Delta region in Nigeria have longed for, for years. If Chevron is found guilty- which I do not doubt they are-this case may redefine the international operations of multinational corporations, especially in many areas where the abundance of natural resources has become a curse for the local people. That this case has taken eight years to come to court is a sad testament of how corporate greed and inhumanity has permeated many facets of our societies resulting in environmental vandalism and human rights abuses that are supported by local government officials who are willing to look the other way for a chunk of change. If this case gives birth, even to just a grain of justice for the Niger Delta, I am confident that it will unleash a new wave of lawsuits seeking to redress the injustices perpetrated by corporations against people blessed with natural resources. Though it may be premature to celebrate given that the case has not yet been won, I am excited about the symbolism of Chevron finally being put on trial after eights years. And to that I shall lift my glass of palm wine. http://africanviewpoint.blogspot.com/