The Igbo tradition discriminates the female child from inheriting her father’s properties. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has however given female children a right to inheritance, OYOGist.com.
In a ruling by the Supreme court, the Igbo age-long tradition is said to fuel gender discrimination which violates the provisions contained in section42(1)(a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, Vanguard reports.
It all started when a Court of Appeal in Lagos ruled that one Gladys Ada Ukeje (daughter of a late Lazarus Ogbonna Ukeje) who was sued by her mother, Chituru and brother, Enyinnaya had a right to demand a portion of her father’s inheritance.
Reading out the verdict, Justice Rhodes Vivour said: “No matter the circumstances of the birth of a female child, such a child is entitled to an inheritance from her late father’s estate.
“Consequently, the Igbo customary law, which disentitles a female child from partaking in the sharing of her deceased father’s estate is breach of Section 42(1) and (2) of the Constitution, a fundamental rights provision guaranteed to every Nigerian.”
