ONDO GOVERNMENT WARNS MONARCH AGAINST RUNNING DETENTION CENTERS
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The Ondo State Government has told traditional rulers in the state not to use their palaces as places where people are held against their will or to set up separate courts that work alongside the official ones.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, gave the warning at a three-day workshop for traditional rulers in Akure, with the theme, “Repositioning the Traditional Institution for Harmonious Communal Relationship, Security, Cultural Preservation and Sustainable Development.”
Ajulo said no traditional ruler had the power 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 traditional rulers to focus on peacebuilding, intelligence gathering and cooperation with law enforcement agencies rather than investigating, detaining or punishing suspects.
“An Oba does not lose dignity by listening to both sides of a dispute. Fair hearing must be observed in traditional administration,” he said.
The Attorney General advised the monarchs to embrace mediation and customary arbitration, but stressed that such processes must be voluntary and should not replace judicial adjudication.
On land matters, Ajulo cautioned against using customary authority to justify self-help, forceful entry, intimidation or illegal occupation.
He urged traditional rulers to refer land-related cases to the appropriate statutory bodies, including the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force.
The commissioner reminded the monarchs that the Constitution does not recognise traditional rulers as a “fourth arm of government.”
He said their roles included serving as custodians of culture, peacebuilders, mediators and community mobilisers.
“Traditional rulers should see themselves as custodians of history and culture, not as alternative courts or government institutions,” Ajulo stated.
On security, he urged the monarchs to provide credible intelligence to the government and security agencies on issues including kidnapping, cultism, communal clashes, illegal mining and farmer-herder conflicts.
He, however, warned them against acting as alternative security agencies.
Ajulo said traditional institutions can help development by bringing in investment, solving conflicts, protecting investors, encouraging farming, keeping natural resources safe, and helping young people start businesses.
He made it clear that changing how traditional institutions work isn’t about taking away power from the palace, but about making sure their moral and cultural influence is used in a way that follows the law.
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