Suliat Lawal
The Ondo State Government has warned traditional rulers against turning their palaces into detention centres or setting up parallel courts to punish residents accused of offences or involved in disputes.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, gave the warning during a three-day workshop for traditional rulers in Akure, Ondo State, with the theme, “Repositioning the Traditional Institution for Harmonious Communal Relationship, Security, Cultural Preservation and Sustainable Development.”
Ajulo said traditional rulers had no legal authority to order the indefinite detention of anyone accused of stealing, insulting the palace, owing money, violating community rules or being involved in a dispute.
He urged monarchs to respect the rule of law and work with recognised law enforcement and judicial institutions instead of investigating, detaining or punishing alleged offenders themselves.
The commissioner said, “An Oba does not lose dignity by listening to both sides of a dispute. Fair hearing must be observed in traditional administration.”
He advised the traditional rulers to embrace mediation and customary arbitration in resolving community disputes, but stressed that such processes should be voluntary and must not be used as substitutes for the formal judicial system.
Ajulo also cautioned monarchs against using their traditional authority to justify forceful entry, intimidation, illegal occupation or other forms of self-help in land disputes.
He urged them to refer land-related complaints to appropriate statutory authorities, including the state’s Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force.
The Attorney General further reminded the traditional rulers that the Nigerian Constitution does not recognise traditional institutions as a “fourth arm of government.”
According to him, the authority of traditional rulers derives largely from their cultural, historical and communal roles and must be exercised within the limits of the law.
He said, “Traditional rulers should see themselves as custodians of history and culture, not as alternative courts or government .
On security, Ajulo urged the monarchs to strengthen collaboration with government and security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence on emerging threats in their communities.
He specifically listed kidnapping, cultism, communal clashes, illegal mining and farmer-herder conflicts among the security challenges requiring the attention and cooperation of traditional institutions.
However, he warned the monarchs against attempting to transform their palaces into alternative security agencies.
The commissioner said traditional rulers were strategically positioned to detect early warning signs of insecurity because of their close relationships with residents and their knowledge of community activities.
He urged them to pass relevant information to the appropriate security agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Ajulo said the repositioning of the traditional institution was not intended to diminish the influence or dignity of the palace, but to ensure that its moral and cultural authority was exercised in accordance with the law.
The commissioner also charged traditional rulers to deploy their influence towards attracting investment and promoting economic development in their communities.
He said monarchs could contribute to development by resolving disputes, protecting investors, promoting agriculture, safeguarding natural resources and supporting youth entrepreneurship.
According to him, a stronger partnership between traditional institutions and government could help create safer and more economically productive communities.
Ajulo maintained that traditional rulers should concentrate on their constitutional and customary roles as custodians of culture, peacebuilders, mediators and community mobilisers.
He urged the monarchs to build public confidence by promoting fairness, dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution while allowing statutory institutions to perform their legally assigned responsibilities.
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