Question 6
Identify five ways in which traditional rulers controlled their subjects in pre-colonial Nigeria
Observation
This was a popular question. Many candidates that attempted it performed very well and scored very high marks. Those who scored low marks were those who could not explain their points. The candidates were expected to explain the following points.
- Through their intermediary role as representatives of the gods
- Powers to appoint and dismiss officials
- Adjudication of laws/settlement of disputes
- Rewards/honour
- Enforcement of customs, traditions and conventions
- Punish law breakers/deviants in society/Banishment of criminals
- Organize and supervise communal labour
- Imposition of levies/taxes
- Law making functions
- Formulation and implementation of policies
- Symbol of power and authority
- Custodians of the land
- Invocation of spirits of the ancestors to regulate the conduct of their subjects
- Oath taking by the subjects
- Dethronement of sub-chiefs
- The use of trial by ordeal
- The establishment of law enforcement institutions