By Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki
As Nigeria prepares to mark 66 years of independence, the Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has raised concerns over the continued disinheritance of women and girls, particularly in relation to land, homes and family property.
Speaking at a press conference in Enugu on September 30, WACOL’s Founding Executive Director, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (OON, SAN), said Nigeria’s independence would remain incomplete until women could enjoy economic independence and equal rights to inherit property.
Ezeilo said WACOL had documented more than 3,000 cases of women being disinherited, including more than 120 cases recorded in 2026 alone.
According to her, the cases presented at the briefing demonstrated that discriminatory customary practices continue to deprive women of homes, livelihoods and economic security despite constitutional and judicial protections against sex-based discrimination.
“True independence for Nigeria remains incomplete until women achieve economic independence through the protected right to inherit land, homes, and resources,” Ezeilo said.
Women share experiences
WACOL used the press conference to present testimonies and video evidence involving women who it said had suffered various forms of disinheritance and property-related abuse.
One of the cases involved a woman from Ehamufu, whose uncles allegedly attempted to demolish her father’s house, which she had built, and take control of the property on the grounds that women were not entitled to inherit their fathers’ land in the community.
WACOL said the intervention of the organisation prevented the alleged demolition and seizure of the property.
Another case involved Mrs. Ekwutosi Ezeonyekwere, a widow from Umuchu in Anambra State. According to WACOL, following the death of her husband, members of his family allegedly locked her out of his shops and began selling portions of his land without her consent.
The organisation also alleged that she was subjected to what it described as a “posthumous divorce,” involving the performance of traditional divorce rites in her father’s home and her removal from her late husband’s residence, despite having a son with him.
WACOL also highlighted the case of Mrs. Nebo from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, who it said was locked out of her family home by her stepson after her husband’s death.
According to the organisation, her late husband’s ATM card was seized and a purported divorce letter issued in the name of her deceased husband, with a warning that she should not attend his burial.
WACOL said it subsequently obtained a court injunction on her behalf.
Another case cited was that of Mrs. Odo, who allegedly became disinherited by her second son. WACOL said cases in which sons deny their mothers access to family land and economic crops were becoming increasingly common.
The organisation attributed some of these disputes to inheritance arrangements in which family property is divided among male children, leaving widows and mothers without effective control over land and other productive resources.
WACOL further recounted the case of Miss Oge from Umungwuotowo Village in Obe Agbor, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to the organisation, Oge was allegedly assaulted and abducted by members of the Obe-Agbor Community Task Force over her demand for inheritance rights. WACOL also alleged that she was falsely imprisoned and forcibly taken to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, where she was placed on medication.
The organisation said she later escaped from the facility and came forward to tell her story.
WACOL argued that the continued application of customs that deny women inheritance rights conflicts with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.
The organisation cited Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on grounds including sex.
It also referenced a number of court decisions concerning women's inheritance rights.
In Ukeje v. Ukeje (2014), the Supreme Court struck down a customary law that prevented female children from inheriting their father’s estate, holding that the practice was inconsistent with the constitutional prohibition of discrimination.
WACOL also cited Anekwe v. Nweke (2014), in which the Supreme Court addressed discriminatory customary practices affecting the inheritance rights of women and widows.
The organisation further referred to Mojekwu v. Mojekwu (1997), in which the Court of Appeal considered the Oli-ekpe custom and found the practice excluding women from inheritance to be inconsistent with principles of natural justice, equity and good conscience.
WACOL maintained that practices involving the forced eviction of widows, denial of inheritance and physical violence should not be treated merely as family disputes where criminal offences have allegedly occurred.
As part of its advocacy campaign, WACOL called on traditional rulers and community leaders to publicly reject discriminatory practices against women.
The organisation urged community leaders and Igwe-in-Council institutions to abolish customs that prevent women from inheriting property, arguing that tradition should protect rather than disadvantage women.
It also called on law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases involving alleged disinheritance, forced eviction, assault and other related offences rather than treating them as private family disputes.
WACOL further appealed to the judiciary and government to expedite cases involving gender-based violence and inheritance disputes, particularly those affecting widows and vulnerable women.
The organisation also called on the media to use its platforms to highlight cases of women facing property and inheritance discrimination.
Ezeilo said the struggle for women's economic rights should form part of Nigeria's broader reflection on independence.
“True independence means the ability to inherit lands, homes, and the resources that women need to survive and thrive,” she said.
She added that the campaign would continue until Nigerian women could enjoy greater economic security and legal protection in matters concerning their homes, land and inheritance.
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