AWKA – Chief Emeka Ilouno, the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra, says assigning domestic matters to traditional rulers can help decongest courts and prisons by utilising alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Ilouno, made this known in an interview with the newsmen on Monday in Awka.
This, approach, he said leverages the traditional authority of leaders to resolve disputes, potentially reducing the burden on the formal legal system.
“Assigning us (traditional rulers) the constitutional rights to preside over such cases via the Customary Courts will go along way in decongesting our prisons.
“By that I mean there will be no delayed judgment on cases which makes some youths to have over stayed in detention, that means them being hardened by notorious ones in there to the detriment of the society,” he said.
Traditional rulers, he said, often have a long-standing tradition of resolving conflicts within their communities using non-formal methods like mediation and arbitration.
”’With fewer cases going through the court system, there may be a reduction in the number of individuals awaiting trial and being incarcerated, potentially decongesting custodial centres,” he said.
He call the National Assembly to assign roles for traditional rulers in prompt dispensation of Justice at all time for societal growth.
(NAN)
