Igbo Jurisprudence: Edeh’s Concept of Justice Towards the Realization of Peace in Igbo-Society

Abstract

This paper examines Emmanuel Mathew Paul Edeh’s notion of justice towards the realization of Igbo jurisprudence for sustainable peace in Igbo- society. The aim of this research is to discourse Edeh’s ideas on justice, how it promotes peace and contributes to Igbo legal system in Nigeria. Objectively, this paper would discuss (a) what is justice? (b) emphasis
on Igbo worldviews (c) it would expose Edeh’s concept of man in traditional Igbo society, (d) it will discuss fundamentals of EPTAISM in Edeh’s philosophy, (e) to elaborate on Edeh’s notion on justice and, (f) to explain to what extend has Edeh’s ideas of justice contributes towards Igbo-Jurisprudence for sustainable peace in our society. The critico-analytic
research design was adopted for this study. Data for the study were collected from books, articles, journals and periodicals. From here, this research finds out that, Edeh’s views on justice is now part of Igbo traditional culture but not in the modern days that, they are many factors that influence justice in Igbo-land as a result of so called modernization
where people are self-centred based on their needs. From the following findings, this paper also posits for the reintegration of our younger generations into the custom and tradition of Igbo-culture which will awaken their consciousness for justice in the society.