Nigeria has taken a significant step in tackling environmental crime through a new partnership between the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) and the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
This collaboration aims to enhance transparency and accountability in addressing crimes like wildlife trafficking and pollution, which pose a serious threat to the nation.
On 20 September 2024, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the ICPC, and Justin Gosling, EIA’s Securing Criminal Justice Programme Lead, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering cooperation and the sharing of vital information between the two organisations.
This agreement marks a historic moment in Nigeria’s efforts to combat environmental crime through a broader anti-corruption framework.
Dr. Aliyu underscored the connection between corruption and environmental degradation, noting, “Environmental crimes such as wildlife trafficking, pollution and those contributing to climate change pose a major threat to Nigerians.”
He further emphasised the role of corruption in exacerbating these crimes, stating, “The role of public sector corruption is unacceptable and the ICPC looks forward to cooperating with the EIA to improve our response to this important area of criminal activity.”
The EIA, which has been active in Nigeria and the wider West and Central African regions for almost five years, has played a vital role in building capacity among investigators, raising awareness within the judiciary, and forging relationships with both public and private financial sectors.
The organisation’s projects in the region have been supported by international agencies like the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the UK’s Defra Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, among others.
Justin Gosling of the EIA remarked on the significance of this new partnership, saying, “Environmental criminal networks are driven by profit and financial gain and the role of corruption in public sectors cannot be underestimated. We welcome this groundbreaking agreement with the ICPC and look forward to developing strategies together to address wildlife trafficking and other forms of environmental crime.”
The partnership sets the stage for Nigeria to strengthen its fight against environmental crimes, especially those fuelled by corruption. As environmental issues become increasingly intertwined with criminal networks, this MoU represents a crucial advancement in Nigeria’s efforts to protect its natural resources and combat global environmental challenges.
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