Igbo Justice
The Igbo people live in southeastern Nigeria, and are one of the three dominant ethnic groups in the country. They are largely acephalous, wherein a decentralized governance system is foundational to their operations. Their justice system is built on the foundational understanding that conflict among individuals can be addressed by bringing the primary stakeholders in the conflict to co-craft solutions. It views crime as a conflict between community members, and responds to crime in the same lens. As community is key, even the quality of justice is evaluated through the well-being of victims and community. It considers conflict a catalyst that creates opportunities for the education, socialization, and resocialization of all key stakeholders, as well as for the revaluation of community values and prevailing socioeconomic conditions (Elechi, 2008).
Fundamentally, the Igbo indigenous justice system is restorative, transformative, and communitarian (Elechi, 2008), and strives to restore social safety without punishment. It is process-oriented, victim-centric, humane, and relies on persuasive and reintegrative principles (Elechi, 2008). Everyone involved in the process participates equally and decisions are arrived at through a consensus (Elechi, 2008).
Fundamentally relational and person-centred, the Igbo people are focused on doing justice in the human society while holding the view that relationships go beyond the here and now to involve the world beyond (Azuakor, 2023). The Transcendental thus plays a role in human affairs, and can influence people deeply (Azuakor, 2023). Where there is a dispute without evidence, those accused may choose to swear their innocence to a deity, or the proceedings themselves may begin by taking an oath.
In discharging justice, the Igbo judicial system pays attention to the offender and all the social groups they are part of. When one is accused of a crime, they are made to stand before the traditional Igbo seat of judgment, along with his family, age grade, kindred, and entire community. The case is heard, and a determination of guilt is made. When a guilty judgment is pronounced and atonement is essential, all individuals related to the offender rally around to make sure that the offender meets the demands of punishment (Umeogu, 2012) before they are reintegrated into society. The ultimate goal is the restoration of equilibrium of the entire community (Elechi, 2008).
References
Azuakor, P. O. (2023). The Igbo Justice System: Paradigm For True Justice and Peace in Nigeria. Nnadiebube Journal of Religion, Culture And Society, 3(1).
Elechi, O.O. (2008) ‘The Igbo Indigenous Justice System’, in Saleh-Annah, V. (ed.) Colonial Systems of Control. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/j.ctt1ckph37.26.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3A5b5d3a2d48a409a2516005d70cf2dc61
Umeogu, B. (2012). Igbo African Legal and Justice System A Philosophical Analysis. Open Journal of Philosophy, 2(02), 116.
