By Abdul Aji
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has called for the integration of traditional rulers into the governance structure of the country.
The call was made by the outgoing President of the NBA, Mr. Y. C. Yakubu (SAN), at the Annual General Conference of the NBA in Lagos.
In his opening remarks at the session on: “Integrating Tradition and Modernity: A Crucial Roundtable Discussion at the AGC,” Maikyau SAN noted that traditional rulers have long played a pivotal role in maintaining law and order across the country through customary laws, which are community-driven and culturally rooted.
He regreted that Nigeria’s legal system evolved and contemporary court systems often overshadowed these traditional mechanisms.
The NBA President stated that providing constitutional roles for traditional rulers will contribute immensely in checkmating the prevailing security challenges in the country.
The session was attended by prominent traditional rulers from across the country.
Ex- Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mutalubi Adebayo Ojo, a SAN from Kogi State, Usman Ogwu Sule and other Bar leaders also attended the session.