Seventeen years after two major oil spills ravaged the Niger Delta, residents of Nigeria’s Bodo community say their land remains dangerously polluted, and they are urging the High Court to compel the oil company responsible to clean up the mess.

Lawyers representing the community claim that Renaissance Africa Energy Company (RAEC)—formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria—has failed to adequately remediate the damage from the 2008 spills, which leaked over 500,000 barrels of oil into mangrove forests and vital ecosystems.

“The significance of these claims cannot be overstated,” said Jeremy Hyam KC, counsel for the Bodo community. “This litigation will have profound implications for thousands of individuals in Bodo, its future generations, and the entire ecosystem.”

Hyam told the court that contamination from the spill covered more than 18,000 hectares, killing wildlife and crippling the livelihoods of 30,000 people. “Only 7% of the oil has been removed,” he said.

“Our clients and their experts say the land has not been cleaned to a standard that protects human health or the environment.”The community is asking for a mandatory injunction that would force RAEC to complete the cleanup. If that is denied, they are seeking damages.

RAEC argues it has taken meaningful steps. The company points to its $80 million contribution to a clean-up initiative and the £55 million it paid in compensation over a decade ago.“The clean-up has been remarkably successful,” said Dr. Conway Blake, representing RAEC.

“A court order would negate all the work done under the Bodo Mediation Initiative.”Blake claimed oil contamination is now “below the limits required under Nigerian law,” and said sabotage and theft have slowed progress.

“A further clean-up would do more harm than good to the Bodo environment,” he added.The trial, overseen by Mrs. Justice Jefford, is expected to last two weeks.