The Anambra State Government has commenced moves to prosecute individuals who deny women and girls the right to inherit property on the basis of their gender.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobe Nweke, SAN, has directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate complaints involving the denial of inheritance rights to women and girls and forward the resulting case files to his office for prosecution.

Nweke conveyed the directive in a letter personally signed by him and addressed to the police. The letter was made available to journalists on Monday, September 26, 2026.

According to the Attorney General, denying women or girls the right to inherit property simply because they are female constitutes a criminal offence under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra State.

The provision makes such discriminatory practices punishable by up to four years’ imprisonment.

The directive signals a move by the state government to enforce the legal protection of women’s inheritance rights and challenge customary practices that exclude females from inheriting family property solely on account of their gender.