AN OVERVIEW OF FEMALE INHERITACE IN IGBO CULTURE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research work Is an overview of female inheritance in Igbo culture in Nigeria.� It examines the rights of women in inheritance and also to sensitize the traditional rulers on the need to reform or abolish the discriminatory Igbo customary law. This research adopted the doctrinal research method and the study finds that women�s rights to inheritance under customary law have been hindered under Igbo customary law, traditional and cultural beliefs. It finds that the various systems of intestacy under Nigerian customary law are in dire need of urgent reforms as these systems have been neglected and are no longer in tangent with the changing society. This research identifies challenges militating against the implementations of this inheritance right laws: Lack of awareness of legal rights of women, poor political will of public agencies protecting women's rights, Poverty and social economic status of women and the issue of male dominance has affected the implementation of women inheritance rights laws in Nigeria.� The study finds that the challenges facing the inheritance rights of women, in Nigeria is due to cultural beliefs, Poor awareness and illiteracy.� It further highlights that the judiciary has been the major agent of development of customary law of intestacy and the driving force for uploading these sacred provisions of the constitution. This study therefore recommend�s that government should put in place programmes to sensitize the women-folks on available means and remedies in realizing their rights to inheritance. This study concludes that the problems associated with the abuses of rights of women to inherit do not lie in the absence of sufficient framework but lies with human weakness that manifests in greed. The Solution lies in the vigilance and readiness of members of the society to rise up and defend the cause of justice whenever such situation arises

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urn:uuid:e69244e8-ebab-4919-b358-f92f12e49e4a