Ofo na Ogu: The Cardinal Principle Guiding the Igbo Traditional Justice System, Norms and Values
Conference: The 23rd Annual International Conference of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA) (2026)
Presenter(s): Rosemary Akpan, Ononiwu A. Oparah
Presentation Date: May 14, 2026 @ 20:28 PM
Tags: Nsukka University of Nigeria Marquette University Nigeria Milwaukee Enugu State USA Wisconsin
Abstract
Ofo na Ogu occupies a central position in the Igbo traditional justice system, embodying the ethical norms and values that guide communal life and the pursuit of justice. Rooted in the principle that “he who seeks equity must come with clean hands,” the concept integrates moral integrity, spiritual accountability, and social order. In Igbo cosmology, Ofo bears dual meanings: it functions both as a staff of authority symbolizing legitimacy and as a metaphysical force that enforces moral consequences. Ogu, on the other hand, represents equity, fairness, and impartial judgment. Together, Ofo na Ogu articulate a justice system grounded in conscience, truth, and spiritual rectitude. Unlike Western juridical frameworks, which prioritize logic, legal reasoning, and empirical evidence, the Igbo justice system is fundamentally anchored in moral consciousness and metaphysical accountability. In traditional Igbo society, individuals who violate the ethical requirements for justice inevitably incur divine retribution, as Ofo is believed to enact unavoidable consequences upon the guilty. This paper interrogates the philosophical foundations and functional dynamics of Ofo na Ogu within the Igbo traditional justice system, emphasizing its reliance on conscience, equity, and spiritual legitimacy. Drawing on critical literature, qualitative inquiry, narrative analysis, and ethnographic methods—including audio-visual documentation—the study explores how indigenous justice practices contrast sharply with Western legal paradigms. It argues that the Igbo traditional justice system offers a holistic, morally integrative framework that foregrounds ethical responsibility, communal harmony, and spiritual balance in the administration of justice.
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