Anambra warns against denying women property inheritance, orders prosecution
The Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to protect the inheritance rights of women and girls, warning that anyone who prevents females from inheriting property because of their gender could face criminal prosecution.
State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, has directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate complaints involving gender-based disinheritance and forward relevant case files to his office for prosecution.
The directive was contained in a letter signed by the Attorney-General and made available to journalists on September 26, 2026.
According to the state government, denying a woman or girl the right to inherit property solely because of her gender constitutes a criminal offence under Section 22 of the Anambra State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017.
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The law provides for a prison sentence of up to four years for offenders convicted of the offence.
Nweke also directed the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit of the Ministry of Justice to handle the prosecution of cases involving gender-based disinheritance.
The unit will also prosecute other cases relating to domestic violence and sexual offences.
The government’s action follows a series of Supreme Court decisions that have invalidated customary practices that prevent women from inheriting property on the basis of their gender.
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The Anambra State Government said the directive was intended to ensure that complaints of gender-based disinheritance are properly investigated and that individuals found to have violated the law are brought before the courts.
The move forms part of the state’s broader efforts to address discriminatory practices and strengthen the legal protection of women and girls.
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