The Anambra State Government has launched a decisive clampdown on individuals denying female citizens their legal right to property inheritance, declaring the discriminatory practice is a criminal offense.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), announced the development on Tuesday in Awka, the state capital.
He disclosed that he has directed the Nigerian Police Force to thoroughly investigate all complaints regarding female disinheritance and transmit the resulting case files directly to his office for immediate prosecution.
According to Barr. Nweke, this enforcement drive stems from a formal letter he personally signed and released to newsmen.
The Attorney-General emphasised that subjecting women and girls to such obnoxious customs solely because of their gender constitutes a direct violation of Section 22 of the Anambra State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017, carrying a penalty of up to four years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
Highlighting the operational framework for the crackdown, Barr. Nweke stated that the Ministry of Justice has designated its Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit to spearhead the prosecution of offenders under the law, alongside existing mandates to tackle domestic violence and sexual offenses.
He expressed grave concern that despite landmark rulings by the Supreme Court declaring customs and practices excluding females from inheritance as unconstitutional and illegal, certain members of the public continue to flout the law through these discriminatory acts.
The State Government therefore urged members of the public to report violations to law enforcement agencies to ensure justice is served and the rights of women and girls are fully protected across the state.
