Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the environment and the judicial system: the Nigeria context

Abstract

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic shocked the world, overwhelming the health systems of even high-income countries . Many health experts believe that the new strain of coronavirus likely originated in bats or pangolins . The novel coronavirus epidemic first broke out in Wuhan and has been spreading in whole China and the world. The incidence of COVID-19 grew steadily in Nigeria, moving from an imported case and elitist pattern to community transmission . The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel human coronavirus disease outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) . The rising rates of infections in a number of European countries, the high number of COVID-19 cases in China (the epicenter of the virus at the time), and international flights still operating, made Nigeria particularly vulnerable. The global outbreak of coronavirus disease in 2019 is affecting every part of human lives, including the physical world. The measures taken to control the spread of the virus and the slowdown of economic activities have significant effects on the environment . Older people along with others with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of mortality. This article ex amines what Covid-19 is all about, its origin, effects and impact on the environment, particularly the Nigeria society . It considered the effects of COVID-19 on the administration of justice system in Nigeria . It also examined the various efforts by Nigerian government in ensuring environmental sustainability. It was observed that most of the laws governing environmental protection were not obeyed during and after the pandemic, going further, to make necessary recommendations .