What punishment did the District Commissioner hand down? Do you believe the District Commissioner's court acts in the the interest of justice?

Mindful of what happened in Abame, the men walk around armed. However, soon afterward the District Commissioner returns from his tour. He invites the leaders of Umuofia to come meet with him. Six men are invited, among them Okonkwo. The meeting is a trap; the six men are taking prisoner, and the DC demands the stiff fine of two hundred bags of cowries. I think the punishment was simply to wield power and intimidate the Igbo men.