State warns monarchs against turning palaces into detention centres, courts

The Ondo State Government has warned traditional rulers against turning their palaces into courts or detention centres.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), said this on Wednesday at a three-day workshop.

The workshop, in Akure, the Ondo state capital, was organised for traditional rulers by the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is: “Repositioning the Traditional Institution for Harmonious Communal Relationship, Security, Cultural Preservation and Sustainable Development.”

Ajulo charged traditional rulers to exercise authority within the confines of the constitution and law.

He said the contemporary traditional rulers operated within a constitutional democracy and must understand the distinction between customary authority and powers reserved by law for the courts, police and other statutory institutions.

He said the constitution does not establish the office of traditional rulers, as a “fourth arm of government”, but recognises the role traditional institutions can play in local governance and community development.

According to him, traditional rulers should see themselves primarily as custodians of history and culture, symbols of communal identity, peace-builders, mediators and community mobilisers.

He added that the traditional institution was not an alternative court or government institution.

Ajulo warned traditional rulers against turning their palaces into detention centres or criminal courts, stressing that alleged criminal conduct must be handled by legally authorised law-enforcement institutions.

“An Oba should not order the indefinite detention of a person because that person is accused of stealing, insulting the palace, owing money, violating a community rule or participating in a dispute,” he said.

Ajulo urged traditional rulers to identify criminal conduct, preserve peace, provide information and cooperate with the appropriate authorities instead of investigating, detaining, or punishing suspects themselves.

He also emphasised the importance of fair hearing in traditional administration, saying traditional ruler does not lose dignity by listening to both sides of a dispute.

He encouraged traditional institutions to embrace mediation and customary arbitration where appropriate, adding that such processes must be voluntary and clearly distinguished from judicial adjudication.

Ajulo also cautioned traditional rulers against using customary authority, as a licence for self-help, particularly in cases involving alleged land grabbing, intimidation, forceful entry, or illegal occupation.

He advised the traditional institution to preserve peace and refer such matters to the appropriate statutory authorities, including the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, where applicable.

He urged traditional rulers to strengthen their role in the state’s security architecture by providing credible community intelligence to government and security agencies.