Group Seeks Reactivation of Environmental Courts in FCT
The CRUX Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development Foundation (CERADF) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to reactivate and strengthen dedicated Environmental Courts and Tribunals across Abuja to address what it described as growing environmental challenges in the nation’s capital. In a letter addressed to the minister and dated […]
The CRUX Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development Foundation (CERADF) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to reactivate and strengthen dedicated Environmental Courts and Tribunals across Abuja to address what it described as growing environmental challenges in the nation’s capital.
In a letter addressed to the minister and dated November 26, 2025, the organisation requested the establishment of a central Environmental Court within the High Court of the FCT, alongside tribunals in all six area councils. CERADF said the dedicated judicial structures were necessary to ensure speedy trials, enforce existing environmental laws, and improve compliance across communities.
The group noted that although the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) introduced mobile courts in 2022 to check environmental infractions, the measure has not sufficiently addressed the scale of sanitation and waste-management issues in the FCT. The organisation said its recent field monitoring in communities including Gwarinpa, Utako, Mpape, Kubwa, Nyanya, Karu, Lugbe, Kuje and Apo Mechanic Village revealed widespread waste accumulation, blocked drainages, pollution, and associated public-health risks.
CERADF warned that these challenges have placed pressure on waste-management agencies and heightened flooding risks in parts of the city. It also argued that delays in conventional court processes and inadequate sanctions have weakened enforcement efforts.
As part of its recommendations, the organisation called for the reactivation of environmental tribunals in Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali area councils. It also urged the FCT Administration to collaborate with the Chief Judge of the High Court of the FCT to designate specialised judges or magistrates and develop practice directions for environmental litigation.
CERADF further recommended strengthening enforcement agencies such as NESREA, AEPB and Area Council environmental task forces to enable them file cases directly before the proposed courts and tribunals. It also advocated a multi-agency enforcement framework involving federal and FCT agencies along with accredited civil society organisations.
The group proposed annual environmental compliance assessments, increased public sensitisation, and community-level behavioural change campaigns to promote long-term adherence to environmental regulations.
CERADF pledged its support to the FCT Administration through research, community mobilisation, environmental reporting and collaboration with relevant agencies to promote sustainable environmental practices.
The letter was signed by the organisation’s Country Director, Iviakpellas Mercy; Project Director, Koko Ademuyiwa; and Director of Communications, Eswati Luka Ikpi. Copies were also sent to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the Chief Judge of the FCT.