Soludo speaks
The Anambra State Government has warned that individuals who disinherit women and girls on the basis of gender risk up to four years in prison.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, issued the warning in an official letter directed to the Nigeria Police Force, which was made available to journalists in Awka.
Nweke directed the police to thoroughly investigate all reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and forward the case files to his ministry for prosecution.
He emphasised that denying women their rightful inheritance constitutes a criminal offense under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Law of Anambra State, 2017.
The Attorney-General expressed concern that despite landmark rulings by the Supreme Court of Nigeria declaring customs and traditions that exclude women from inheriting property unconstitutional, illegal, and void, some members of the public persist in the discriminatory practice.
“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,” Nweke stated in the letter.
He added that the state government has designated its Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit within the Ministry of Justice to handle the prosecution of disinheritance offenders, alongside cases of domestic violence and sexual offenses.
