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The Compass: Slick: The Story of Oil, Shell and Nigeria : Slick: 2. On trial

Factual

On Trial

13/04/2022 GMT

Slick: 2. On trial

Slick: The Story of Oil, Shell and Nigeria

BBC World Service - The Compass, Slick: The Story of Oil, Shell and Nigeria, Slick: 2. On trial

Ken Saro Wiwa and Ledum Mittee come face to face with the power of the Nigerian state

Ken Saro Wiwa and Ledum Mittee come face to face with the power of the Nigerian state.

In the 1990s, as oil spills devastate the environment, Shell becomes persona non grata in Ogoniland. Then, when Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ledum Mittee and other activists leading the charge against Shell, are accused of incitement to murder, they come face to face with the power of Nigeria’s military government. 

BBC West Africa correspondent Mayeni Jones investigates a miscarriage of justice which has become an infamous moment in Nigerian history.

Presenter: Mayeni Jones
Producer: Josephine Casserly

(Photo: Ken Sara Wiwa Credit: Tim Lambon/Greenpeace)

The Compass: Slick: The Story of Oil, Shell and Nigeria 

Slick: The Story of Oil, Shell and Nigeria 

The story of fossil fuel giant, Shell, and the people who pay the price for oil.

When oil company, Shell D’Arcy first struck black gold in Nigeria in the 1950’s, there were celebrations in the creeks of the Niger Delta.  Many of the locals had no idea what this thick black substance was, but it would go on to shape their lives and those of everyone in the region for decades to come.

Today, Niger Deltans have been engaged in prolonged court battles against Shell around the world. How did this oil giant go from being welcomed in the region to being sued by its inhabitants? 

In this four part series, BBC West Africa Correspondent Mayeni Jones tells the story of how oil changed the fate of Nigeria.

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Slick: 2. On trial

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