An Appraisal of the Legal Regime on the Human Right to Compensation for Environmental Pollution in Nigeria

Incidents of environmental pollution are being reported every now and then in Nigeria, and in the Niger Delta in particular. Quite apart from the damage done to the environment as a result of some inevitable natural disasters, such as flood, earthquake and tsunami, some other man-made damage are caused to the environment wherein the activities of certain individuals or corporate bodies have negatively affected, and in most cases, absolutely destroyed the means of livelihood, houses and other valuables of some other persons. When such man–inspired damage deprives another of his rights to life, own and acquire property as well as live in a clean and healthy environment, what legal remedies does the Law provide against the tort–feasor, in favour of the victim of environmental pollution?