BY
OSAZEE DAVID EGBENUSI AND BRIGHT ESEOSA ENORENSEEGHE
Abstract
The thematic discussion guide calls us to examine developing trends and challenges regarding issues of the criminalization of environmental crimes to assist in developing possible responses/programs and initiatives to deal effectively with emerging forms of crime that have a significant impact on the environment. In view of the menace of environmental pollution in Nigeria today, this paper examines the present legal regime on the criminalization of environmental crimes, explains the nature of environmental crime and presents a comparative view of the concept of criminalization of environmental abuses and attendant enforcement regime. In addition, this paper assesses the effectiveness of the present legal regime on the criminalization of environmental crimes, particularly, as they affect the criminalization of abusive utilization of environmental resources, with specific reference to the enforcement challenges. The paper made corresponding recommendations as to the feasibility, workability and applicability of the concept of criminalization in Nigeria today.