Abuja – The National Park Service of Nigeria, has called for the establishment of special courts to try cases of wildlife crime in the country.
Its Conservator-General, Mr Haruna Abubakar, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
He said that when established, such courts should be able to ensure faster dispensation of justice than the regular courts.
“I solicit or recommend a special court to try cases of wildlife crime because most of the time when cases are taken to (the regular) court, you find out that the series of adjournments sometimes delay justice.
“But with these special courts, hearing of the cases will be fast-tracked because these cases are just straight cases.
“It might also minimise interference; fines as specified in the (extant) law can be aptly applied instead of depending on penal codes which were established by the (defunct) regions.
“Sometimes they depend on those ones to pass judgment.
“So with these (special) courts, the cases will be given accelerated hearing; that way, government will be seen to be more serious about environmental issues.’’
He stressed the need to preserve, conserve and protect the nation’s forests from illicit traffickers in wild flora, especially in view of the increasing effects of climate change on human lives and the environment.
The conservator-general listed poaching, grazing, felling of trees, entrance, camping, fishing, and encroachment on parks as some of the offences against wildlife.
Abubakar, who quoted sections of the Act establishing the National Parks Service, stated that the offences can attract a minimum fine of N10, 000 and a maximum of N50, 000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years once the perpetrators are convicted.
According to him, the country currently has seven National Parks, namely: Kainji Lake in Niger State; Chad Basin in Borno; National Park in Cross River; and Gashaka Gumti in Adamawa.
Others are the National Park in Kamuku, Kaduna State; the National Park in Oyo; the National Park in Okomu, Edo State; and the National Park in Abuja.
He explained that the Federal Government upgraded the National Park in Abuja to the status of a para-military agency in 2014.
“The salaries of the staff are that of a para-military structure so as to boost the morale of the rangers (park guards) and check trespass, in addition to prevent illegal logging within and outside the parks.
“The members of staff are properly motivated and trained by the Nigerian military so as to prepare them for self-defence against poachers, loggers (timber exploiters) and grazers.
He expressed regret that the Boko Haram insurgency has destroyed parts of the Kamuku National Park in Kaduna State.
He, however, said that the federal and state governments were taking all necessary steps to repair the damaged parts of the park. (NAN)