Esther Kiobel Sums Up Courage To Testify Against Shell At The Hague

Esther Kiobel, the widow of a Nigerian activist that was executed alongside other activists like Ken Saro Wiwa, is suing Shell Oil over the execution of her husband.

She has demanded compensation from Shell at The Hague via a testimony, accusing Shell of playing a role in the hanging of her husband and other activists by Nigeria's military in 1995 but Shell denied the allegation.

The activists were executed by hanging after they led protests against the oil pollution in Ogoniland back in 1995.

Read Esther's statement below:

"Shell came into my life to take the best crown l ever wore off my head. Shell came into my life to make me a poverty-stricken widow with all my businesses shut down. Shell came into my life to make me a refugee living in harsh conditions before l came to the United States through [a] refugee programme and now [I am a] citizen.

"The abuses my family and l went through are such an awful experience that has left us traumatised to date without help. We all have lived with so much pain and agony, but rather than giving up, the thought of how ruthlessly my husband was killed... has spurred me to remain resilient in my fight for justice.

"Nigeria and Shell killed my late husband: Dr Barinem Kiobel and his compatriots Kenule Tua Saro Wiwa, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Paul Levula, Nordu Eawo and the rest [of the] innocent souls.

"My husband and the rest were killed... The memory of the physical torture my family and l went through has remained fresh in my mind, and whenever l look at the scar of the injury l sustained during the incident, my heart races for justice all the more."