— Stop land grabbing, self-help in palaces
— Provide intelligence, not act as security agencies
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
AKURE — The Ondo State Government has warned traditional rulers in the state against turning their palaces into detention centres or operating parallel courts.
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 could also contribute to development by attracting investment, resolving disputes, protecting investors, promoting agriculture, safeguarding natural resources and supporting youth entrepreneurship.
He stressed that repositioning the traditional institution was not intended to diminish the authority of the palace, but to ensure that its moral and cultural influence was exercised within the law.
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