Shell Petroleum Company has been ordered by a Federal High Court in Abuja to within 21 days pay the people of Ogoni in Rivers State, the sum of N45.9 billion.
The court presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the order on Wednesday. The money is a cost awarded against the company several years ago for oil spillage in Ogoniland.
Counsel to Shell, Aham Ejelamo had in his submission, told the court that his client had accepted to make the payment.
He asked the court to allow his client to make the payment through the Registrar of the court and in a bank about to be opened for the purpose.
But the judge ruled against the prayer and ordered the oil company to pay the money within 21 days through the account of the lawyer to the Ogoni people, Mr Lucius Nwosu.
Justice Mohammed said that his ruling was in agreement with earlier decisions of both the high court and the Supreme Court.
Ogoni have suffered oil spillage for several years now and the case between them and shell has lasted for about 31 years.
The money Shell was given 21 days to pay to the Ogoni people was awarded since on June 14, 2010, by a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba.
The matter was later dragged to the Supreme Court and the apex court upheld the judgement of the lower court.
But Shell Petroleum Company, not pleased with the ruling, sought some considerations.
However, ruling on the matter on Wednesday, Justice Mohammed said the lower court cannot rule otherwise from the judgement already delivered by the apex court.