Illegal trade in wildlife has caused the decline of many species in Nigeria, Africa and the world... more Illegal trade in wildlife has caused the decline of many species in Nigeria, Africa and the world. Illegal killing, smuggling and other forms of illicit trade in wildlife do not only hurt the economy and the ecosystem, but they also fuel organised crime as well as feed corruption and insecurity, undermining the sustainable development of the country. Wildlife in Nigeria is under pressure as most endangered species, are traded both domestically and internationally. Nigeria is not only a source of wildlife products but has also emerged as a major transit country for wildlife trafficking according to the current World wildlife Crime Report. Using a literature-based review, this paper critically examines the legality and illegality of wildlife trade in Nigeria in line with the provisions of extant laws and how this scenario has grossly hampered global efforts toward combating wildlife trafficking. It proffers amendment of the text of extant laws to reflect the intents and global aspirat...
There is the urgency in finding solutions to this global problem and this requires bold actions f... more There is the urgency in finding solutions to this global problem and this requires bold actions from governments, the private sector and civil societies. This paper conducts an x-ray of political questions relating to climate change issues. This can be achieved by making departure from the provisions of section 6(6)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution by proactive interpretation of sections 13, 14(2), 20 and Item 60(a) of the Exclusive Legislative List of the said Constitution. The philosophical underpinning of this preposition is to enable the courts avoid injustice and absurdity in addressing claims for loss and damages linked to climate change induced impacts.
Illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking are global environmental risks which is underscor... more Illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking are global environmental risks which is underscored not just by its convergence with other serious crimes but by the cross-border and trans-boundary nature of the crime, and its implications in many global health problems. The COVID-19 crisis, currently estimated to have been contracted from bats by humans through an intermediate host such as a pangolin, has propelled the global health implications of wildlife trade onto the global stage, thereby questioning global and national environmental governance structures to combat illegal wildlife trade and trafficking. Through a literature-based desk review, this paper appraises international environmental regulation such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES); wildlife regulatory governance in Nigeria such as The Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act and their implications in the current global pandemic. It...
Nigeria has an array of environmental protection legislation and regulations. However, their prov... more Nigeria has an array of environmental protection legislation and regulations. However, their provisions have not resulted in environmentally cleaner behaviour, technologies or products, nor have they resulted in green development or an environment that is free from abuse and dislocation. It is therefore our belief that current legal mechanism have failed to provide adequate economic incentives to limit activities, which are environmentally damaging and therefore unable to achieve their environmental objectives. This paper advocates for a paradigm shift to economic based regulation as a means of achieving optimum environmental protection in Nigeria. It traces the inherent provisions in Nigerian Environmental Laws that have contributed to their failure to elicit the required environmental protection compliance and recommends the needed shift in environmental regulation to elicit appropriate environmental protection compliance from players and participants alike to avoid continued envi...
Previously, in many common law jurisdictions, the position was that for a charge of rape, defilem... more Previously, in many common law jurisdictions, the position was that for a charge of rape, defilement or other forms of sexual offence to be proved beyond reasonable doubt, the prosecution must offer corroborative evidence outside the usual testimony. After some intense lobbying, this provision requiringcorroboration has been expunged from the Evidence and procedural law of many jurisdictions. As a result, there have been cry outs and criticisms against the law on certain grounds. However, a sexual offence is an offence under the Code and it is quite discriminatory that a different means of proof should be prescribed for these offences. How will it be if the Acts of Criminal Procedure in Nigeria prescribe a different form for proving Robbery, another for Forgery and the likes? The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the removal of Section 179(5) of the repealed Evidence Act,1which requiredcorroboration of sexual offences, is justifiable.
Journal of economics and sustainable development, 2016
In this era of pursuit of sustainable development climate change has been recognized as a global ... more In this era of pursuit of sustainable development climate change has been recognized as a global threat as it transcends boundaries in its causes and effects. Much of the aggravated increases in global climate are attributable to human activities. It becomes imperative that change in human behaviour and consequently control of such aggravating factors can safely be achieved through law and legal regulation. Climate change litigation is, in large part, a multi-pronged attempt by individuals, groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments, to use the instrumentalities of the court to pressurize industrial greenhouse gas emitters and the government to reduce or regulate greenhouse gas emission. This paper advocates that the judiciary can be an appropriate forum for resolving issues surrounding the harm caused by global warming and climate change. It examines the rationale as well as the prospects of using the judiciary as a means of achieving a sustainable management of ...
The objective of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act, among others, is to ensure that th... more The objective of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act, among others, is to ensure that there is sound land development framework and that the ecological and aesthetic values of the nation are preserved and enhanced. However, the Planning Act does not explicitly require or articulate criteria for integrating environmental conservation into the planning process. Even the judiciary has advocated that planning law has little or nothing to do with environmental protection. Yet, planning law ought to be able to establish regional land use framework geared towards total and holistic environmental conservation. This paper therefore seeks to answer the question whether or not environmental protection is implicit in planning law with special emphasis on Nigeria.
Nigeria has witnessed dramatic climate change impacts in recent years resulting in droughts and d... more Nigeria has witnessed dramatic climate change impacts in recent years resulting in droughts and desertification in several northern states with fast receding grassland vegetation. This has induced migration especially by pastoral farmers from the semi-arid agro-ecological zones down south towards the Benue trough in search of lush green vegetation for their herds. The result is frequent strife and conflict between these nomadic groups and the sedentary farming communities in the rich Benue River Basin trough, resulting in loss of lives and properties. In recent years, the conflicts have assumed diverse political, religious and socio-cultural dimensions. Using an in-depth desk review of extant literature and policy documents, this paper appraises the policy and regulatory responses to these crises juxtaposing it with climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in Nigeria. We posit that the major causes of conflicts revolve around land ownership for settlement, grazing and farmi...
ABSTRACT The extractive industry is essential to the economic development of Nigeria. Accordingly... more ABSTRACT The extractive industry is essential to the economic development of Nigeria. Accordingly, section 6 of Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007provides for a stakeholders forum called National Stakeholders Working Group of which Civil Society Organizations are involved. But the participation of civil society organizations in this forum has not been effective. Using doctrinal approach, the paper analyses the roles of civil society organizations as stakeholder representative in Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. It seeks to identify the obstacles hindering their effective participation. The paper finds that problems ranging from lack of cooperation among the civil society organizations, politicization of their appointments by the President into the forum and other issues act as hindrances to their effective participation in the National Stakeholders Working Group. It is suggested that section 6 of Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act be amended to give civil society organization the freedom to appoint a representative into the forum while they are encouraged to develop a better synergy amongst them.
The gendered dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of... more The gendered dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of great socio-environmental significance. Data about the roles of women in wildlife trafficking offer critically needed indicators that can contribute to building evidence and setting targets for, and monitoring progress of, sustainable and equitable futures. We set three objectives for this research filling a major gap in conservation knowledge: (1) explore expert perceptions of primary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, (2) explore expert perceptions of secondary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, and (3) explore variability in roles for women in wildlife trafficking. We used an online survey to conduct expert elicitation in February 2020 to achieve objectives. Experts (N= 215) identified key assumptions associated with six primary and 31 secondary roles for women in wildlife trafficking. Results highlight the impacts of wildlife trafficking manifest in varied contexts across society, including persons harmed at local levels such as family members in general, widows and orphans. The perceived roles of women in the wildlife trafficking networks can be factored into transformative solutions to help combat wildlife trafficking and data from expert elicitation can inform future hypotheses and inferences on this topic of broad socio-environmental significance.
The gender dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of g... more The gender dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of great socio-environmental significance. Data about the roles of women in wildlife trafficking offer critically needed indicators that can contribute to building evidence and setting targets for, and monitoring progress of, sustainable and equitable futures. We set three objectives for this research filling a major gap in conservation knowledge: (1) explore expert perceptions of primary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, (2) explore expert perceptions of secondary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, and (3) explore variability in roles for women in wildlife trafficking. We used an online survey to conduct expert elicitation in February 2020 to achieve objectives. Experts (N = 215) identified key assumptions associated with six primary and 32 secondary roles for women in wildlife trafficking. Results highlight the impacts of wildlife trafficking manifest in va...
Illegal trade in wildlife has caused the decline of many species in Nigeria, Africa and the world... more Illegal trade in wildlife has caused the decline of many species in Nigeria, Africa and the world. Illegal killing, smuggling and other forms of illicit trade in wildlife do not only hurt the economy and the ecosystem, but they also fuel organised crime as well as feed corruption and insecurity, undermining the sustainable development of the country. Wildlife in Nigeria is under pressure as most endangered species, are traded both domestically and internationally. Nigeria is not only a source of wildlife products but has also emerged as a major transit country for wildlife trafficking according to the current World wildlife Crime Report. Using a literature-based review, this paper critically examines the legality and illegality of wildlife trade in Nigeria in line with the provisions of extant laws and how this scenario has grossly hampered global efforts toward combating wildlife trafficking. It proffers amendment of the text of extant laws to reflect the intents and global aspirat...
There is the urgency in finding solutions to this global problem and this requires bold actions f... more There is the urgency in finding solutions to this global problem and this requires bold actions from governments, the private sector and civil societies. This paper conducts an x-ray of political questions relating to climate change issues. This can be achieved by making departure from the provisions of section 6(6)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution by proactive interpretation of sections 13, 14(2), 20 and Item 60(a) of the Exclusive Legislative List of the said Constitution. The philosophical underpinning of this preposition is to enable the courts avoid injustice and absurdity in addressing claims for loss and damages linked to climate change induced impacts.
Illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking are global environmental risks which is underscor... more Illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking are global environmental risks which is underscored not just by its convergence with other serious crimes but by the cross-border and trans-boundary nature of the crime, and its implications in many global health problems. The COVID-19 crisis, currently estimated to have been contracted from bats by humans through an intermediate host such as a pangolin, has propelled the global health implications of wildlife trade onto the global stage, thereby questioning global and national environmental governance structures to combat illegal wildlife trade and trafficking. Through a literature-based desk review, this paper appraises international environmental regulation such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES); wildlife regulatory governance in Nigeria such as The Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act and their implications in the current global pandemic. It...
Nigeria has an array of environmental protection legislation and regulations. However, their prov... more Nigeria has an array of environmental protection legislation and regulations. However, their provisions have not resulted in environmentally cleaner behaviour, technologies or products, nor have they resulted in green development or an environment that is free from abuse and dislocation. It is therefore our belief that current legal mechanism have failed to provide adequate economic incentives to limit activities, which are environmentally damaging and therefore unable to achieve their environmental objectives. This paper advocates for a paradigm shift to economic based regulation as a means of achieving optimum environmental protection in Nigeria. It traces the inherent provisions in Nigerian Environmental Laws that have contributed to their failure to elicit the required environmental protection compliance and recommends the needed shift in environmental regulation to elicit appropriate environmental protection compliance from players and participants alike to avoid continued envi...
Previously, in many common law jurisdictions, the position was that for a charge of rape, defilem... more Previously, in many common law jurisdictions, the position was that for a charge of rape, defilement or other forms of sexual offence to be proved beyond reasonable doubt, the prosecution must offer corroborative evidence outside the usual testimony. After some intense lobbying, this provision requiringcorroboration has been expunged from the Evidence and procedural law of many jurisdictions. As a result, there have been cry outs and criticisms against the law on certain grounds. However, a sexual offence is an offence under the Code and it is quite discriminatory that a different means of proof should be prescribed for these offences. How will it be if the Acts of Criminal Procedure in Nigeria prescribe a different form for proving Robbery, another for Forgery and the likes? The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the removal of Section 179(5) of the repealed Evidence Act,1which requiredcorroboration of sexual offences, is justifiable.
Journal of economics and sustainable development, 2016
In this era of pursuit of sustainable development climate change has been recognized as a global ... more In this era of pursuit of sustainable development climate change has been recognized as a global threat as it transcends boundaries in its causes and effects. Much of the aggravated increases in global climate are attributable to human activities. It becomes imperative that change in human behaviour and consequently control of such aggravating factors can safely be achieved through law and legal regulation. Climate change litigation is, in large part, a multi-pronged attempt by individuals, groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments, to use the instrumentalities of the court to pressurize industrial greenhouse gas emitters and the government to reduce or regulate greenhouse gas emission. This paper advocates that the judiciary can be an appropriate forum for resolving issues surrounding the harm caused by global warming and climate change. It examines the rationale as well as the prospects of using the judiciary as a means of achieving a sustainable management of ...
The objective of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act, among others, is to ensure that th... more The objective of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act, among others, is to ensure that there is sound land development framework and that the ecological and aesthetic values of the nation are preserved and enhanced. However, the Planning Act does not explicitly require or articulate criteria for integrating environmental conservation into the planning process. Even the judiciary has advocated that planning law has little or nothing to do with environmental protection. Yet, planning law ought to be able to establish regional land use framework geared towards total and holistic environmental conservation. This paper therefore seeks to answer the question whether or not environmental protection is implicit in planning law with special emphasis on Nigeria.
Nigeria has witnessed dramatic climate change impacts in recent years resulting in droughts and d... more Nigeria has witnessed dramatic climate change impacts in recent years resulting in droughts and desertification in several northern states with fast receding grassland vegetation. This has induced migration especially by pastoral farmers from the semi-arid agro-ecological zones down south towards the Benue trough in search of lush green vegetation for their herds. The result is frequent strife and conflict between these nomadic groups and the sedentary farming communities in the rich Benue River Basin trough, resulting in loss of lives and properties. In recent years, the conflicts have assumed diverse political, religious and socio-cultural dimensions. Using an in-depth desk review of extant literature and policy documents, this paper appraises the policy and regulatory responses to these crises juxtaposing it with climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in Nigeria. We posit that the major causes of conflicts revolve around land ownership for settlement, grazing and farmi...
ABSTRACT The extractive industry is essential to the economic development of Nigeria. Accordingly... more ABSTRACT The extractive industry is essential to the economic development of Nigeria. Accordingly, section 6 of Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007provides for a stakeholders forum called National Stakeholders Working Group of which Civil Society Organizations are involved. But the participation of civil society organizations in this forum has not been effective. Using doctrinal approach, the paper analyses the roles of civil society organizations as stakeholder representative in Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. It seeks to identify the obstacles hindering their effective participation. The paper finds that problems ranging from lack of cooperation among the civil society organizations, politicization of their appointments by the President into the forum and other issues act as hindrances to their effective participation in the National Stakeholders Working Group. It is suggested that section 6 of Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act be amended to give civil society organization the freedom to appoint a representative into the forum while they are encouraged to develop a better synergy amongst them.
The gendered dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of... more The gendered dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of great socio-environmental significance. Data about the roles of women in wildlife trafficking offer critically needed indicators that can contribute to building evidence and setting targets for, and monitoring progress of, sustainable and equitable futures. We set three objectives for this research filling a major gap in conservation knowledge: (1) explore expert perceptions of primary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, (2) explore expert perceptions of secondary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, and (3) explore variability in roles for women in wildlife trafficking. We used an online survey to conduct expert elicitation in February 2020 to achieve objectives. Experts (N= 215) identified key assumptions associated with six primary and 31 secondary roles for women in wildlife trafficking. Results highlight the impacts of wildlife trafficking manifest in varied contexts across society, including persons harmed at local levels such as family members in general, widows and orphans. The perceived roles of women in the wildlife trafficking networks can be factored into transformative solutions to help combat wildlife trafficking and data from expert elicitation can inform future hypotheses and inferences on this topic of broad socio-environmental significance.
The gender dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of g... more The gender dimensions of wildlife trafficking remain understudied even though the problem is of great socio-environmental significance. Data about the roles of women in wildlife trafficking offer critically needed indicators that can contribute to building evidence and setting targets for, and monitoring progress of, sustainable and equitable futures. We set three objectives for this research filling a major gap in conservation knowledge: (1) explore expert perceptions of primary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, (2) explore expert perceptions of secondary roles that women may play in wildlife trafficking, and (3) explore variability in roles for women in wildlife trafficking. We used an online survey to conduct expert elicitation in February 2020 to achieve objectives. Experts (N = 215) identified key assumptions associated with six primary and 32 secondary roles for women in wildlife trafficking. Results highlight the impacts of wildlife trafficking manifest in va...
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Papers by Helen Agu