The families of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni human rights activists tortured or murdered in Nigeria filed several lawsuits in New York federal court against Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, various subsidiaries and several company executives. The plaintiffs want the defendants held accountable for their alleged complicity in human rights abuses committed by Nigeria’s military government. The cases were brought under various U.S. laws, including the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA), and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). In June 2009, on the eve of trial, the parties agreed to settle the case for $15.5 million to compensate the 10 plaintiffs, establish a trust intended to benefit the Ogoni people, and cover a portion of plaintiffs’ legal fees and costs.