Femi Falana to Lead Legal Team Against Oil Companies Over Niger Delta Pollution

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has announced that he will lead a legal team to take action against oil companies responsible for environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.

Falana made the announcement during the 30th anniversary memorial lecture of Ken Saro-Wiwa in Port Harcourt, emphasizing the urgent need for justice for oil-producing communities.

He stated that the people of the Niger Delta deserve better living conditions and access to basic amenities, rather than enduring poverty and neglect.

Criticizing the federal government’s handling of the region’s resources, Falana called for increased accountability from oil companies.

He highlighted provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that mandate oil companies to allocate 3% of their operations for host community development, proposing that this should be increased to 5%.

He also urged the Rivers State government to enact legislation ensuring that oil-producing areas receive a special allocation from the 13% derivation fund.

Falana’s announcement comes amid ongoing legal battles involving oil companies in the region.

One notable case involves King Godwin Bebe Okpabi of Ogale in Ogoniland, who is currently suing Shell in the London High Court over decades of oil spills that have caused severe environmental damage.

The case alleges that Shell’s operations have violated the community’s right to a healthy environment.

Through this legal initiative, Falana aims to hold oil companies accountable for their environmental impact and to ensure that the Niger Delta’s oil wealth benefits its communities.