A new legal filing in London’s High Court alleges that Shell has systematically concealed the true scale of pollution from its oil operations in the Niger Delta. The claimants, representing over 11,000 residents and communities, argue that the company’s pipeline failures have caused irreversible damage to their health and environment. The case, brought by Leigh Day law firm, specifically points to internal documents dating back to the 1990s that reportedly show Shell knew about chronic leaks but failed to act.
Shell has dismissed the claims as ‘unfounded’, but the plaintiffs say the evidence includes maintenance logs and inspection reports that contradict public statements. The hearing is expected to last six months, and the outcome could set a precedent for corporate liability in climate and pollution related cases. The allegations come as the UK prepares to host the COP30 climate summit, raising fresh questions about the role of fossil fuel companies in global environmental policy.
