pursuit of justice for villagers

A UNITED States (U.S.) District Court yesterday rejected Chevron Corporation's final bid to avoid prosecution over alleged involvement in brutal attacks on Nigerian villagers.

Nine Nigerian plaintiffs are suing Chevron in a federal court in San Francisco for deaths and other abuses in two incidents in 1998 and 1999, in which the Nigerian military and Police, paid by Chevron and using Chevron helicopters and boats, shot and tortured protestors and destroyed two villages allegedly associated with opposition to Chevron's oil activities in the desperately poor Niger Delta.

The plaintiffs assert claims ranging from torture to wrongful death.

The Judge, Susan 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," concluding that the evidence would allow a jury to find not only that Chevron knew the attacks would happen and assisted in them, but also that it actually agreed to the military's plan.

"We're pleased that our clients will finally get justice for Chevron's crimes," said plaintiffs' counsel, Theresa Traber, partner at Traber & Voorhees.

"Chevron conspired with and paid the notorious Nigerian military to attack our clients and their loved ones, murdering at least seven people, torturing others and burning

two villages to the ground. The court correctly refused to let narrow legalistic excuses allow Chevron to escape responsibility for these brutal attacks," Rick Herz, Litigation Co-ordinator at EarthRights International, added: "The court's ruling reaffirms that corporations who are complicit in human rights abuses can be held accountable, regardless of where those abuses occur."

Trial in the case, Bowoto v. Chevron Corp., No. 99-2506, is expected within the year. In addition to ERI and Traber & Voorhees, the plaintiffs are represented by the private law firms of Hadsell & Stormer and Siegel & Yee; the Centre. for Constitutional Rights and the Electronic Frontier Foundation; and Paul Hoffman, Michael Sorgen, Robert Newman, Anthony DiCaprio, Elizabeth Guarnieri, and Richard Wiebe. More information on the case may be found at www.earthrights.org.

Posted: at 17-08-2007 12:23 AM (16 years ago) | Gistmaniac

I hope not...infact i'm beginning to think that i know whats going on with herre.....*Nnamdi* is in town abi?

Posted: at 27-12-2007 03:32 PM (16 years ago) | Addicted Hero

 

Posted: at 28-12-2007 12:48 AM (16 years ago) | Addicted Hero

we know herre..u don't have to explain..we all need to take a breather sometimes..some likes to just chill while others like to *missionary*...we understand ..by the way, was it all you expected it to be?

Posted: at 13-01-2008 04:29 PM (16 years ago) | Addicted Hero

can u like upload?

Posted: at 15-01-2008 01:54 AM (16 years ago) | Addicted Hero

 

Posted: at 15-01-2008 02:57 PM (16 years ago) | Addicted Hero

 

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Posted: at 21-01-2008 03:33 AM (16 years ago) | Addicted Hero

he did take off his clothes....but it made Herre rolled her eyes.....*if u know what i mean*


 

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Posted: at 21-01-2008 08:48 AM (16 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Good question.  Answer us ooooooooooo

Posted: at 25-04-2008 06:12 PM (16 years ago) | Upcoming

hey babe.u're not looking bad.may i know you??

Posted: at 4-07-2008 06:04 PM (15 years ago) | Newbie