Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

The aim of this study is to examine the traditional judicial system in Urhoboland. Also, this study highlights the traditional administration in the precolonial and colonial period. The essence of the study study is to mirror the changes and impacts of modernity in the Urhobo society particularly the judicial system with the advent of Colonialism by the British. A descriptive method was used to reflect the detail information about the traditional judicial system in urhobo land. The study is a discourse on the Urhobo social system, role of traditional institutions in Urhobo judicial system, the courts and the applicable laws as well as traditional administration of justice. The judicial system and practices was, and still regulates the behaviour of people to maintain social order. The system requires different types of courts as instruments for the resolution of conflict and administration of justice. These courts are inclusive of the Upper Court (Egware r?Orho) and Lower Court (Egware r?Egodo): Court of the Family (Egware r?Ekru or Orua): Court of the Quarter(Egware r?Uduvwu): Court of the Village(Egware r?Oko or Ighwre): Court of the Youths (Egware r?Ighele): Court of the Women Folk(Egware r?Eghweya) and Special Court Against Theft(Egware r?Idigbu. However, the highest body which is called in Ovie-in-Council (Ovie -King, Otota- Spokesman and selected Chiefs) take decision on cruicial and major isssues. In contemporary Urhobo society, both the traditional judicial system functions side by side with the English

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