Liabilities and compensation for environmental damage under the domestic legal system

Abstract

Man’s effort at exploiting nature for his numerous needs has left some indelible scars on the environment. Over the years, environmental legislation has provided provisions to minimise, prevent, punish and remedy the consequences of actions that damage or threaten the environment, public health and public safety. This chapter discusses liabilities for environmental damage under domestic legal system, such as Nigeria, focusing on the nature of environmental damage, for which liabilities may be imposed; the types of environmental liabilities, from both civil and criminal perspectives, under domestic legislation; as well as obstacles to environmental litigation in situations where such liabilities are to be challenged in a court of law.