Brave Dickson
The Rivers State branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers says it recorded more cases bordering on inheritance in Ogoni and Ikwerre ethnic nationalities than other tribes in the state.
Governor Nyesom Wike had in September, 2022 signed into law, the ‘Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022.’
By assenting to the law, it means that all female children now have the right to inherit their family property as the male children.
The state chairperson of FIDA, Adata Bio-Briggs told our correspondent that the level of awareness is high, adding that more inheritance cases are coming to FIDA every day.
She said, “I can tell you that a lot of persons are more aware of it. Our centre has been filled with people coming for inheritance matters. It means that the law has an impact.
“The awareness is on the increase. People know that the Rivers State Government has passed a law that women can inherit property.
“We have a lot of old and new cases coming up every day from more women which have to do with inheritance.
“We have gone to several communities and there is high compliance.
“Though some people still feel that the law is against their culture which doesn’t really matter.
“All we know is that there is a law and any culture or practice that is inconsistent with such law is null and void.
“The Ogoni and Ikwerre axes are the areas where we have had a lot of complaints concerning refusal to allow women inherit family property.”
