Restorative justice intervention in the repression of crime in oil and gas production in Nigeria

Abstract

The oil and gas sector has assumed a tremendous prominence in the history of contemporary Nigerian economy. However, crime, corruption and quasi-criminal conducts have consistently played an obstructive role in the full realisation of the desired efficiency and capacity in the industry. The emerging economic reality in the sector indicates a decline in productivity owing to other neglects and crimes perpetrated by some past government, employees, indigenes and industry operators. These often manifest in economic fraud, denial of basic economic and social needs, oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, tax evasion, and the likes. To ensure consolidation and sustenance of capacity growth there is need to access the cause of the present decline in the sector. The onus is on both the government and the citizens to get up steam and fight the criminal tide in the sector using the best approach. This paper examines the dynamics of crime repression and restorative justice intervention strategy in the oil and gas sector for efficiency and desired capacity in the industry. The paper first demonstrates the need for adequate crime control in the sector. Then the paper discusses repression of crimes in the oil and gas sector and the human right question. Finally, the paper concludes by underlining strategies for crime prevention in the sector and the approach of restorative justice intervention in oil and gas related crimes.

Keywords: Repression of Crime, Restorative Justice Intervention, Economics of Oil and Gas Production, Human Rights, Nigeria