Deny women inheritance right, risk 4-year jail term – Anambra govt

The Anambra State Government has warned that individuals who deny women and girls their right to property inheritance based on gender risk up to four years’ imprisonment.

The State Attorney-General, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, warned against this in a letter sent to the Nigeria Police and made available to reporters in Awka.

Mr Nweke directed the police to investigate reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and prosecute offenders thoroughly.

He described the practice of stripping women of their inheritance as an offence under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra State.

The Attorney-General urged the police to investigate all reported cases and forward the case files to his office for prosecution.

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He said that despite the Supreme Court’s decisions declaring customs and practices that exclude women from inheriting property unconstitutional and illegal, some members of the public still engage in such discriminatory practices.

“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,” Mr Nweke said.

He said the government had designated the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit to handle the prosecution of offenders under the law, alongside other forms of domestic violence and sexual offences.