The Ondo State Government has issued a stern warning to traditional rulers across the state, ordering them to stop turning their palaces into detention centres or operating what it described as illegal “parallel courts.”
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, delivered the warning during a three-day workshop for monarchs in Akure, where he charged traditional institutions to respect the limits of their authority.
The workshop, themed “Repositioning the Traditional Institution for Harmonious Communal Relationship, Security, Cultural Preservation and Sustainable Development,” focused on redefining the role of traditional rulers in modern governance.
Ajulo warned that no monarch had the legal authority to lock up individuals indefinitely over allegations of theft, disrespect to the palace, unpaid debts, community disputes or alleged violations of local customs.
He urged monarchs to abandon the role of investigators and punishers, stressing that their strength should lie in mediation, peacebuilding and providing useful information to security agencies.
According to him, a king’s respect is not reduced by listening to all sides in a dispute, insisting that fairness and hearing from all parties must remain central to traditional administration.
The commissioner advised monarchs to embrace mediation and customary arbitration but made it clear that such processes must be voluntary and cannot replace the authority of established courts.
On the growing crisis of land disputes, Ajulo warned traditional rulers against using customary powers to support forceful takeovers, intimidation, illegal entry or land grabbing.
He urged them to direct land-related complaints to recognised government bodies, including the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, rather than taking matters into their own hands.
Ajulo reminded the monarchs that Nigeria’s Constitution does not recognise traditional rulers as a “fourth arm of government,” adding that their influence comes from their role as custodians of culture, peace advocates and community leaders.
“Traditional rulers should see themselves as custodians of history and culture, not as alternative courts or government institutions,” he said.
Speaking on security challenges, the commissioner called on monarchs to provide credible intelligence on kidnapping, cult activities, communal conflicts, illegal mining and farmer-herder disputes.
However, he cautioned them against presenting themselves as alternative security agencies.
Ajulo noted that traditional institutions could play a major role in development by attracting investors, resolving conflicts, protecting businesses, promoting agriculture, preserving natural resources and encouraging youth empowerment.
He stressed that the reforms were not designed to weaken the authority of traditional rulers but to ensure that their cultural influence was exercised within the boundaries of the law.
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