The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a suit by Shell’s local arm challenging a USD 3.6-billion fine for the Bonga oil spill, local media reported Thursday.
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production sued the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, challenging its power to issue fines, Daily Trust reported.
The judge dismissed the case, finding that the agency had acted within its powers and had not violated the company’s rights.
“I found no conflict with the duties conferred on NOSDRA by law and the power of the court to adjudicate in this matter,” the ruling read. “The plaintiff had notice and opportunity to fair hearing. The plaintiff ought to have had recourse to the court for the determination of its civil rights and a proper adjudication on the issues if it felt its rights were infringed or about to be infringed.”
