Anambra To Prosecute Those Denying Women, Girls Inheritance Rights

The Anambra State Government has commenced steps to prosecute individuals who deny women and girls the right to inherit property on the grounds of their gender.

The state government has consequently directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate complaints of gender-based disinheritance and forward the case files to the office of the state Attorney-General for prosecution.

The Attorney-General of Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the Nigeria Police Force, which he personally signed and was made available to journalists on Tuesday.

Nweke said several cases had been reported in which girls were prevented from inheriting properties belonging to their parents based on customs and traditional practices in the region.

According to him, the practice persists despite Supreme Court judgments declaring customs and practices that prevent females from inheriting property unconstitutional and illegal.

The Attorney-General warned that denying women and girls their inheritance rights because of their gender constitutes a criminal offence under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra State.

He added that offenders could face up to four years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

The letter reads, “In light of the foregoing, you are kindly requested to ensure that your office thoroughly investigates all reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and that the case files are transmitted to this Ministry for further action.

“To effectively combat this practice, this Ministry has designated the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit to handle the prosecution of offenders under the above-mentioned law, alongside other forms of domestic violence and sexual offences.”