Anambra to Prosecute Those Denying Women Inheritance Rights - 4 Years Jail

Anambra State Vows to Jail Offenders Who Deny Women Inheritance Rights

The Anambra State Government has declared a total crackdown on individuals who deny women and girls their right to inherit property because of their gender.

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, said the action is a key policy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo's administration to end gender-based discrimination and protect women's rights across the state.

Police Ordered to Investigate, Forward Cases for Prosecution

In a strong-worded letter to the Nigeria Police Force, Nweke directed the police to thoroughly investigate all complaints relating to disinheritance of women and girls and forward the case files to the Ministry of Justice for immediate prosecution.

According to him, denying women and girls inheritance on the basis of being female is not just a cultural injustice, it is a crime.

He cited Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra State, which criminalizes such acts. Under the law, convicted offenders risk up to four years imprisonment.

Dedicated Unit to Handle Cases

The Attorney General also confirmed that the state's Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit has been mandated to prosecute offenders. The unit will handle inheritance denial cases alongside other offences like domestic violence and sexual offences.

Why This Matters

The directive comes amid persistent reports from parts of the South-East where female children are still denied family inheritance due to customs and traditional practices. For years, many women have been excluded from land, houses, and other family assets.

With this move, Anambra is drawing a clear legal line: custom cannot override the law.

The Ministry of Justice says it will commence legal action against offenders as soon as investigations are concluded and case files are received from the police.

What to do if your right is denied: Affected persons are advised to report cases to the nearest police station or directly to the Anambra State Ministry of Justice through its SGBV Unit.

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Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo