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 state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the Nigeria Police Force, directing the police to investigate complaints of gender-based disinheritance and forward the case files to his office for prosecution.

The letter, personally signed by Nweke and made available to journalists on Monday, stated that the practice of denying women and girls their inheritance rights constitutes an offence under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra State.

According to the Attorney General, offenders risk up to four years imprisonment upon conviction.

He directed the police to thoroughly investigate reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and forward the case files to the Ministry of Justice for further action.

The letter further stated that the Ministry had designated its Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit to prosecute offenders under the law, alongside cases involving domestic violence and sexual offences.

The development comes despite previous Supreme Court decisions declaring customs and practices that prevent women from inheriting property unconstitutional and illegal.

The state government said the enforcement measures were aimed at addressing continued discriminatory practices against women and girls in matters of inheritance.