AFRICAN TRADITIONAL METHODS OF ADJUDICATION (1960–2023): THE PRACTICE OF OBIO/AKPOR PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the appraisal of the African Traditional Methods of Adjudication (1960–2023), the practice of Obio/Akpor people of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted a qualitative research method and obtained data basically from primary and secondary sources. Oral interviews were conducted with some notable chiefs and elders of some communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Published textbooks, journals, and internet websites of Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre related works were used. The data obtained were descriptively analyzed. It was revealed that despite the existence of modern legal frameworks of methods of adjudication in the African twenty-first century, the study employs a detailed analysis of historical methods of adjudication in the practice of Obio/Akpor people of Rivers State, Nigeria from 1960–2023. The study is grounded in the nature of law in Obio/Akpor, the political history of Obio/Akpor, particularly focusing on the legal norms and traditional methods of adjudication of disputes involving stealing, murder, suicide, incest, malicious destruction of farm crops, having sexual relations with farm land or forest, debt, assault, witchcraft and sorcery, marriage disputes, and land disputes. The British influence on the people of Obio/Akpor legal system was identified in this research. In the final analysis, the paper concludes that the people of Obio/Akpor actually have their sacred traditional methods of adjudication dispute the colonization, urbanization, modernization, and Christianity.