The Anambra State Government has stepped up efforts to end the denial of inheritance rights to women and girls, warning that those who engage in the practice could face criminal prosecution.
The 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.
In a letter signed by the Attorney-General and made available to journalists on September 26, 2026, the state government described the practice of denying females the right to inherit property simply because of their gender as a criminal offence under Section 22 of the Anambra State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017.
Offenders convicted under the provision could face up to four years’ imprisonment.
The Attorney-General also designated the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit of the Ministry of Justice to prosecute cases involving gender-based disinheritance, alongside other domestic violence and sexual offences.
The move comes against the backdrop of Supreme Court decisions that have invalidated customary practices preventing women from inheriting property on account of their gender.
The state government said the latest directive is aimed at ensuring that such discriminatory practices are properly investigated and prosecuted.
