Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry and the Attitude of Courts

Abstract

In the petroleum industry, sabotage represents the main share of oil spills resulting from the destruction of oil and gas pipelines used in conveying petroleum products. It is prevailing and sooner or later would evolve to become a norm (custom) in the society because it has become a means which the inhabitants of the oil producing areas adopt in pressing their demands to the government and oil companies. Unfortunately, this is due to the prevalence of corruption, poverty, and governments unfulfilled promises, among others. This paper would examine sabotage and its impact on the flora and fauna of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where much of Nigeria's oil and gas is exploited. It seeks to evaluate how the oil firms and the federal government responded to the despoliation of the environment occasioned by the acts of sabotage. The paper shows that the oil companies makes no genuine efforts to combat sabotage acts which leads to oil spillage until much harm had been done to the environment. This paper further look into the attitudes of Courts, both Nigerian and some foreign courts in respect of the courts attitudes to sabotage related issues, payment of compensation and restorative justice before the Courts. This work also discussed the increasing loss of confidence by inhabitants of the Niger Delta area in the courts and the effects of such loss of confidence such as youths restiveness, loss of revenue and sometimes loss of lives. Among other things, this work recommended that there is a need for the government to impose strict liability and adopt various economic instruments to combat oil industry-induced environmental pollution. The paper concludes that the oil producing companies in Nigeria should adhere to international best practices in oil exploitation. The courts on the other hand should adopt a liberal approach to legal redress in sabotage cases.