Posted by Chester Morton / Friday 11 November 2016 / No comments
How Indirect Rule operated in Northern Nigeria
Introduction
Indirect Rule is the system of government in
which the traditional structures of the local people were employed in the
administration of the British overseas territories in West Africa. The
architect of the system, in West Africa, was Lord Lugard. He first
experimented with the system in Northern Nigeria and when it was found to be
successful, it was replicated in
other parts of British West Africa.
The position of an Emir
The system made provision for the position of an
Emir. There was already existing Emirs in Northern Nigeria who traditional had
control over their Emirate. The Emirs were appointed according to the tradition
of the people.
District and Village Heads
Directly under the Emir were District Heads and
below the District Heads were the Village Heads. Policy direction emanated from
the British colonial officials through the Emirs. The Emirs, in turn, relayed
the information to the District Heads and then onward to the Village Heads. The
Village Heads were therefore the direct enforcers of the British policies on
the grounds.
Native Courts
The system maintained the Islamic judicial
administration that was operating prior to the introduction of Indirect Rule.
The difference was that, they made sure it conformed to good governance and
public morality as pertained in Britain. Also where death sentence was handed
down to a suspect, it was subject to the approval of the District Officer in
charge of the area.
District Commissioner
There was the position of District Commissioner.
He was a British political Officer who was resident in the colony. Though he
was not permitted to exercise executive powers, he advised the chiefs so that
they always conformed to British policies as was handed down to them.
Prison Service
The system made provision for the existence of a
prison. Under this, the traditional chiefs were allowed to establish a prison
where convicted criminals were kept until they had completed their full prison
term or a pardon was given to them.
Court of Appeal
The system made provision for a Protectorate
Court which was presided over by a resident British official. Anybody who was
dissatisfied by the ruling handed down to him/her at the native court could
appeal the ruling at this Protectorate Court.
Taxation
The system also made provision for the collection
of taxes from the people. Lord Lugard cancelled the traditional tax system and
introduced a uniform tax assessment. After collecting the taxes, twenty five
percent went to the British authority and the rest was kept in the native
treasury.
SAMPLE
QUESTIONS
1. How did the policy of Indirect Rule operate in
Northern Nigeria?
