By Gabriela Ezin, Calabar
Stakeholders in the fight against environmental crime have raised concerns over the growing threat posed by wildlife trafficking, warning that the illicit trade is closely linked to money laundering, arms proliferation and other forms of transnational organised crime.
The warning was issue°1°1a!1d during a capacity-building workshop for judges and magistrates in Calabar, Cross River State, organised under the European Union-funded GUARD Wildlife Project to strengthen the prosecution of wildlife and forest crimes.
Speaking at the event, Conservator of the Cross River National Park, Joseph Ntui, described wildlife crime as one of the world’s most lucrative criminal enterprises, ranking among major transnational crimes that extend far beyond the illegal trade in animals and plants.
According to him, many people underestimate the implications of wildlife trafficking because they view it merely as the movement of wildlife products, whereas criminal syndicates often use the trade to finance other illegal activities.
“Wildlife crime is associated with money laundering, insecurity and the proliferation of arms. We are dealing with a very big issue, and that is why collaboration is critical if we are to address the challenge effectively,” he said.
Ntui stressed the need for stronger collaboration between conservation agencies and the judiciary, noting that successful prosecution of offenders would serve as a deterrent to criminal networks involved in the illicit trade.
He identified inadequate evidence gathering as one of the major obstacles to successful prosecution of wildlife crimes, adding that investigators and prosecutors require additional training to build watertight cases capable of securing convictions.
“We need to train our prosecutors to carry out in-depth investigations that will produce concrete evidence pointing to specific offences and offenders,” he said.
Also speaking, State Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Raymond Anunobi, described the workshop as timely in view of recurring incidents of wildlife poaching and trafficking in Cross River State.
He said exposing judicial officers to the realities of wildlife crime would improve the enforcement of both national and international conservation laws.
“The judges who will adjudicate on these matters are here to understand the severity of what we are seeing. It is important that they understand that these laws are enforceable and can be applied in their judgments,” Anunobi said.
Chief Superintendent of Immigration, Demben Aferekpe, said the Nigerian Immigration Service plays a crucial role in preventing the movement of wildlife traffickers and illegal wildlife products across borders.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among agencies, noting that immigration officers often serve as the first line of defence at the nation’s entry and exit points.
For the judiciary, the workshop provided an opportunity to examine its role in protecting Nigeria’s environmental heritage and ensuring that offenders are held accountable.
Justice Joseph Bassey of the Cross River State High Court said effective enforcement of wildlife protection laws was essential to preserving forests, wildlife and ecosystems for future generations.
He warned that the continued destruction of forests and wildlife could have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity, the economy and human wellbeing.
“Once these resources are retained, there will be a proper ecosystem despite the challenges posed by climate change. But the constant destruction of flora and fauna can adversely affect the economy, the ecosystem and humanity generally,” he said.
Bassey assured participants that the judiciary would continue to enforce existing laws and ensure that justice is served whenever wildlife crime cases come before the courts.
The workshop formed part of broader efforts by conservation groups, law enforcement agencies and international partners to strengthen Nigeria’s response to wildlife trafficking and other environmental crimes.
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