Yoruba Traditional Adjudicatory Systems

Abstract

I present a review of the adjudicatory systems in place in Yorubaland before and during the colonial era of 1914 to 1960. During this period, Yorubaland had three tiers of government, and there was a structured judicial system, which was not, however, strictly formal. Nevertheless, these seemingly informal courts served their purpose very well. In this context, the people were able to retain their sense of identity: they truly believed that blood was thicker than water. They shared in the woes and successes of their kith and kin, as well as in the fortunes and misfortunes of everyone around them.