Doing Justice Without the State: The Afikpo (Ehugbo) Nigeria Model By O. Oko Elechi. New York: Routledge, 2006.

Abstract

This very ground-breaking and credible research on restorative justice results in a powerful elucidation of Afikpos traditional system of settling disputes between individuals and organizations. The main focus of this academic analysis is rooted in an understanding of Afikpos established, legal, political and social systems and its contradictions with the burden of alien legal systems. Throughout the text, the author compares Afikpos long-established lawful system to Western Europeans judicatory schemes. The authors study comprises an array of case-notes in support of his compelling analysis against totally replacing the traditional legal system in modern era with Western European models. The author has personal experiences in the Afikpo customary arrangement, and vigorously advocates for a method of local level jurisprudence based on the value and experience of social and political circumstances.