In a significant legal development, the Anambra State government has officially classified the denial of inheritance rights to women and girls as a criminal offense. This announcement, made by Attorney General Tobe Nweke SAN, comes as part of a broader initiative to protect women's rights and ensure equitable access to property.

On September 26, 2026, Nweke directed the Nigerian Police to investigate complaints from women who have been denied their rightful inheritance. This directive was communicated through a letter personally signed by the Attorney General and shared with the media shortly thereafter. The letter emphasized the state's commitment to prosecuting those who infringe upon the inheritance rights of women, citing Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017, as the legal framework supporting this action.

Under this law, denying women and girls the right to inherit property based on their gender is punishable by up to four years in prison. Nweke described the longstanding practice of excluding women from inheritance as "obnoxious," highlighting the government's determination to challenge cultural traditions that have historically marginalized women in property rights.

The Attorney General's letter also instructed the police to accept complaints from affected women, conduct thorough investigations, and forward the completed case files to his office for prosecution. This directive establishes a formal legal pathway for women who have often found themselves powerless against family members or community practices that deny them their inheritance.

The Anambra State government's intervention marks a pivotal moment in the fight for gender equality in Nigeria, particularly in the southeast region, where cultural norms have frequently sidelined women's rights. By criminalizing the denial of female inheritance, Anambra is setting a precedent that could inspire similar actions in other states across the country.

This move is expected to empower women, providing them with the necessary legal backing to assert their rights and seek justice in cases of inheritance denial. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need to address gender-based discrimination within the legal framework and to promote a more inclusive society for all citizens.