Anambra AG Nweke Targets Gender-Based Inheritance Denials

The Anambra State Government has issued a warning that individuals or groups denying women and girls their right to property inheritance based on gender face prosecution and potential imprisonment of up to four years. This announcement was made by the State Attorney-General, Mr Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, in a letter directed to the Nigeria Police and shared with newsmen in Awka.

Nweke instructed the police to thoroughly investigate reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and to prosecute offenders, citing the practice as an offence under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra. He noted that despite Supreme Court rulings declaring customs that exclude women from inheriting property unconstitutional, such discriminatory practices persist.

Nweke urged the police to ensure all reported cases are investigated and forwarded to his office for prosecution. The government has established the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit to handle these prosecutions alongside other domestic violence and sexual offences.