REMEDIES FOR VICTIMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN NIGERIA; AN APPRAISAL

Environment pollution of different dimension has caused a lot of havocs to the health and wealth of some Nigerians. To this end, the study examines the array of legislation that provides for various remedies for victims of pollution in Nigeria. The study also analyzed various case laws their adequacy or otherwise. The study further investigates the mechanism for the enforcement of the claims by the victims of pollution in Nigeria. The general background of the study examines the research problem, which ascertain the adequacy of these laws or otherwise. The objectives are to among others identify these remedies. It also states the justification, the significance, of this scope the study and the methodology of this research is doctrinal. The study evaluates the criminal remedies especially in relation to the fact that most of the statutes are laced with penal provisions inform of fines and terms of improvement. The study also focusses on the civil remedies in form of compensation, damages, restoration/rehabilitation and injunction. Similarly, the mechanism for the enforcement of the claims by the victims of pollution such as litigation which is plagued with series of problems such that victims often seek remedies under law of tort, thus they are unable to prove their case before the courts. The study also examines Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) viz: negotiation, mediation, conciliation and arbitration as a tool for enforcement. The study concludes with some findings which includes inter alia absence of express constitutional provision on pollution scattered legislations on pollution which as mostly penal the penalties are paltry sum and problem of jurisdiction vested in the High Court by some Acts which is in conflict with the constitutional provisions that vest same exclusively in the Federal High Court