Rita Ohiro

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks have gained increasing relevance in promoting corporate sustainability and responsible business conduct globally. In Nigeria, however, the effective implementation of the environmental pillar of ESG remains challenged by weak regulatory enforcement, overreliance on fossil fuels, inadequate environmental infrastructure, and inconsistencies between policy objectives and corporate practices. This gap has limited Nigeria’s progress toward environmental sustainability and compliance with international climate commitments. The aim of this study is to critically examine the environmental pillar of ESG within the Nigerian context, with a focus on applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, corporate practices, and enforcement mechanisms. The study adopts a doctrinal research methodology, relying on the analysis of statutes, case law, policy documents, academic literature, and institutional reports relevant to Nigerian environmental and corporate governance law. The findings reveal that although Nigeria has established several environmental laws and policies aligned with ESG principles, their implementation is undermined by weak enforcement, regulatory overlap, limited corporate transparency, and insufficient integration of ESG considerations into business operations. The study further finds that ESG compliance in Nigeria is largely voluntary and driven by external investor pressure rather than robust legal obligation. The study recommends strengthening environmental regulations, improving enforcement capacity of regulatory agencies, mandating clearer ESG disclosure requirements, and encouraging corporate adoption of sustainable practices through legal and policy reforms. These measures will enhance environmental sustainability, corporate accountability, and Nigeria’s alignment with global ESG standards

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is one of the most critical institutions responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, and ensuring internal security. However, over the years, the Force has faced persistent allegations of power abuse, corruption, human rights violations, and institutional inefficiency. The aim of this research was to critically analyze the abuse of power by the Nigeria Police Force and assess the effectiveness of legal and institutional frameworks in preventing such abuses. The study examined the formation, historical evolution, and structural organization of the NPF, alongside its statutory powers, functions, and duties as defined under Nigerian law. By providing a foundational understanding of how the institution evolved, the research contextualized the systemic weaknesses that have contributed to recurrent cases of police misconduct across different regions in Nigeria. Through the doctrinal research methodology, the study analyzed relevant statutory and constitutional provisions governing police conduct in Nigeria, including the Police Act 2020, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and other enabling laws. It further explored the nature, scope, and forms of police power abuse, such as extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrests, detention, and extortion. The research also investigated the root causes of these abuses, identifying factors such as inadequate oversight, poor training, weak disciplinary mechanisms, political interference, and institutional corruption. For comparative insight, the study briefly examined the policing systems in the United States, focusing on mechanisms of accountability, civilian oversight, and transparency to assess potential lessons applicable to the Nigerian context. The study also revealed that despite the existence of constitutional and institutional safeguards, the frameworks for regulating and monitoring police conduct in Nigeria remain largely ineffective. The absence of a robust accountability structure, combined with systemic corruption and political influence, has undermined public trust and encouraged a culture of impunity within the Force. The study recommended comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening institutional accountability, enhancing human rights training, and ensuring the operational independence of oversight bodies such as the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission. It concluded that adopting a rights-based and institutionally accountable approach to policing would help restore public confidence and promote a more transparent, professional, and humane Nigeria Police Force