TODAY’S ruling that oil giant Shell cannot be pursued in British courts for activities that took place in Nigeria is bad news for poor communities the world over — and for the planet.

London judges who dismissed the appeals brought on behalf of the Ogale and Bille communities in Nigeria, challenging Mr Justice Fraser’s decision last year that compensation claims for poisoning their land and resources would have to be heard in Nigeria, do not dispute the severity of the damage.

“The severe pollution caused by the repeated large oil spills … has impacted the lives, health and local environment of some 50,000 people forming part of the communities in the Niger delta,” judge Sir Geoffrey Vos acknowledges.