Published 2023-07-31
Keywords
- NORMS,
- ETHICS,
- BELIEF SYSTEM,
- COUNCIL OF ELDERS,
- LEADERSHIP
- KINDRED ...More
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Copyright (c) 2023 International Journal of Socio-Cultural Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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Abstract
In Ohafia Igbo of Nigeria, the traditional legal structure was such that everyone understands the rules and regulations guiding the societal norms and ethics from birth. Legal concept is further structured with the assignment of judicial duties to every leadership position. The privilege of leadership position in Ohafia land therefore comes with the responsibilities of having sound knowledge and clear understanding of the societal rules, and sound interpretation of the ethics and norms of the people. In that respect, every leader as a matter of fact, was expected to be averse with the legal rules of the society of people under his control. In other words, since the exhibition of high sense of morality, formed among the basic requirements of attainment of a leadership position in Ohafia land, age therefore is believed to grow with the knowledge of sound morality among the people. Leaders in that respect are the flag bearers and custodians of the traditional laws. The reliance on age as panacea, for the appointment or assignment of judicial functions in Ohafia land is strong. On that strength too, the knowledge of traditional laws is equated with affluence. It is therefore incumbent to say, that in Ohafia land, traditional legal structure conferred remarkable authority on old age and level of wealth acquired. The paper therefore, attempts to allude the importance of morality, age and wealth as determinant factors to the occupation of the position of a judge in Ohafia traditional courts. In addition, it is thus, an insight to the usefulness of the Elders to the development and interpretation of Ohafia traditional laws.