By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Shell Petroleum Company has been ordered to pay N45.9 billion to the Ogoni People in Rivers State.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja gave the order on Wednesday.
He directed that the money must be paid within 21 days.
The money is a cost award against the company several years ago for oil spillage in Ogoniland, Veracity Desk reports.
Counsel to Shell Petroleum Company, Aham Ejelamo, informed the court that his client had agreed to make the payment.
He proposed that the money be paid through the Registrar of the court in a bank about to be opened for the purpose.
But Justice Mohammed ruled against the request and ordered that the payment be made within the period given through the account of the lawyer to the Ogoni people, Mr Lucius Nwosu.
He explained that this was in line with the decision of both the high court and the Supreme Court.
The case between the Ogoni people and shell has lasted for about 31 years.
A Lagos Division of the Federal High Court presided by Justice Ibrahim Buba awarded the cost against Shell Petroleum Company in a judgement delivered on June 14, 2010, for the sufferings inflicted on the people of Ogoniland.
After many years, the Supreme Court upheld the judgement of the lower court but Shell Petroleum Company was not satisfied as it sought for some considerations.
When the matter came up on Wednesday, Justice Mohammed explained that it would amount to burying the judgement of the apex court to rule otherwise.