The Anambra State Government has begun 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 to the Nigeria Police Force requesting investigations into reported cases of gender-based disinheritance.

The letter, personally signed by Nweke and made available to journalists on Monday, directed the police to investigate complaints and forward case files to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.

Nweke said denying women or girls the right to inherit property because they are female constitutes an offence under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra State.

He noted that anyone found guilty under the provision could face up to four years’ imprisonment.

The Attorney General urged the police to thoroughly investigate reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and transmit the relevant case files to his office for further legal action.

He said the Ministry of Justice had designated its Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit to prosecute offenders under the law.

The unit, he added, would handle such cases alongside other forms of domestic violence and sexual offences.

The state government’s action comes despite previous Supreme Court decisions declaring customs and practices that prevent women from inheriting property unconstitutional and unlawful.

The government said the continued practice of excluding females from property inheritance remained discriminatory and required stronger enforcement of existing laws.