Ondo Warns Monarchs Against Turning Palaces Into Detention Centres

The Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, has warned traditional rulers against turning their palaces into courts or detention centres.

Ajulo gave the warning on Wednesday in Akure during a three-day workshop organised for traditional rulers by the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The workshop, themed “Repositioning the Traditional Institution for Harmonious Communal Relationship, Security, Cultural Preservation and Sustainable Development,” focused on strengthening the role of traditional institutions in community development and security.

Ajulo urged traditional rulers to exercise their authority within the provisions of the Constitution and other relevant laws.

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

According to him, the Constitution does not establish traditional rulers as a “fourth arm of government”, although it recognises the contribution of traditional institutions to local governance and community development.

He described traditional rulers primarily as custodians of history and culture, symbols of communal identity, peace-builders, mediators and community mobilisers.

Ajulo stressed that traditional institutions should not be regarded as alternatives to courts or government agencies.

He specifically warned monarchs against turning their palaces into detention centres or criminal courts, insisting that allegations of criminal conduct must be handled by legally authorised law enforcement agencies.

“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.

The commissioner advised traditional rulers to identify criminal conduct, preserve peace, provide useful information and cooperate with appropriate authorities rather than investigating, detaining or punishing suspects themselves.

He also emphasised the importance of fair hearing in traditional administration, noting that listening to all sides of a dispute would not diminish a monarch’s authority.

Ajulo encouraged traditional institutions to embrace mediation and customary arbitration where appropriate, stressing that such processes should be voluntary and clearly separated from formal judicial proceedings.

He further cautioned monarchs against using customary authority to justify self-help in disputes involving alleged land grabbing, intimidation, forceful entry or illegal occupation.

He urged them to refer such matters to statutory authorities, including the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force where applicable.

Ajulo also called on traditional rulers to strengthen their contribution to the state’s security architecture by providing credible community intelligence to government and security agencies.