Thread by @chikaunigwe

from: escr-net.org/caselaw/2018/o…
"Onyibor Anekwe & Anor v. Mrs. Maria Nweke, Supreme Court of Nigeria, SC. 129/2013.
Gender Equality in Inheritance Rights affirmed by Nigerian Supreme Court
This case challenges the customary law of male primogeniture of the Awka people in Nigeria.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria found that any custom that denies women, particularly widows, their inheritance, is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and is condemned by the Supreme Court.

Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Maria Nweke was asked to vacate her house by her late husband’s father on the ground that she had no male child in the house. erty goes to the deceased’s father and eldest brother.

Mrs. Nweke brought this case claiming that according to the customs of the Awka people, a woman inherits the property of her husband regardless of whether she has a male child.

The defendants/appellants, who are Mrs. Nweke’s father-in-law and brother-in-law, initially claimed that male primogeniture is the Native Law and Custom of Awka people and as such, without a male heir, the property goes to the deceased’s father and eldest brother.

...the Supreme Court condemned the custom and practices of the Awka people, finding the custom of disinheriting a woman from property to be repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.

The judgment emphasized that “a custom of this nature in the 21st century societal setting will only tend to depict the absence of the realities of human civilization. conscience.

The Awka customary law of male primogeniture was invalidated for being repugnant to natural justice, equity and good..." Read in full at the link in 1st tweet. Traditions are not sacrosanct. Where they are discriminatory or cruel, we must change them

We shouldn't be scared to interrogate culture. We've always done so and adapted/thrown away parts of it that are cruel: killing of twins, for e.g and in recent times, in many parts of Igbo land, widows no longer shave their heads or wear black for 1 year ;

in my mom's village in the past, widows could only eat bland food : no pepper, no salt. That's changed too

Many Igbo communities are adapting and legislating how much a bride's father can demand in brideprice. So why do some of us act as if it were unthinkable to question unfair traditions?!!