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Yesterday I made a post on the arrest and detention of a traditional ruler that is prohibited from entering Benin city,, a move that distorted a longtime historical practice spanning about 800 years which became sacrilegious even as the traditional ruler pleaded to be taken to the nearest police station which the police officers refused.
Now, after the posts about the incident, a lot of our curious people were asking if the traditional ruler is above the law and all what not. It's important this point to put the records straight. The point must be made clear that, the tradition and culture of a people must be respected because the law is made for man and not the other way.
To succinctly put it straight, the law we are talking about here is the English law not customary law. It should be noted that even the English law we are talking about has enormous regard for the English culture and tradition. How many of us are aware that the Queen of England is above the law, are we also aware that she is tax exempted? You cannot arrest or take the Queen of England to court irrespective of any infraction committed. If the same people that gave us the law respects their traditional institution, what then is our problem? Do a Google search if you think otherwise.
The same people we are relying on their laws to govern ourselves have respect for their traditional institutions, some of us are here claiming to know more than them. Let me quickly remind us that we were colonised by same people and were forced to adopt their way of life, so, it becomes doubtful if we think we know more than them in their own way of life.
Even as a human rights activist, there are times one may have to draw a line between the fight for human rights and what is feasible. That is where circumspection in action comes in, that is where the police officers that carried out that operation goofed. We seldom follow the latest trend of globalization without considering our peculiarity as a people.
It's not enough to scream like every other person when an event happens but very important you scrutinise issues with an open mind to be able to take an informed position. Before you jump on anything from the West, first consider their own adaptability and practise.
Leftist Osazee Edigin
Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations
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