Nweke made the move in a letter to the Nigerian Police, directing the force to investigate reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and forward the case files to his office for prosecution.
The letter, personally signed by the Attorney General and made available to journalists on Monday, September 26, 2026, stated that denying females the right to inherit property amounts to a criminal offence under Section 22 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017 of Anambra State.
The offence, according to the letter, is punishable by up to four years’ imprisonment.
The Attorney General urged the police to thoroughly investigate all reported cases involving the discriminatory denial of inheritance rights to women and girls.
“In light of the foregoing, you are kindly requested to ensure that your office thoroughly investigates all reported cases of gender-based disinheritance and that the case files are transmitted to this Ministry for further action,” the letter stated.
The ministry also designated its Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit to handle the prosecution of offenders under the law.
The unit will prosecute cases of gender-based disinheritance alongside other forms of domestic violence and sexual offences.
The development comes despite previous Supreme Court decisions declaring customs and practices that prevent females from inheriting property unconstitutional and illegal.
The Attorney General’s directive is aimed at strengthening enforcement against discriminatory inheritance practices that continue to affect women and girls in some parts of the state.
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