Revisiting the Case of Ukeje V Ukeje Viz A Viz Igbo Customary Inheritance

B. N. Okpalaobi; E. F. Okaphor

doi:10.12816/0039661

Article Details

Revisiting the Case of Ukeje V Ukeje Viz A Viz Igbo Customary Inheritance

Authors:

B. N. Okpalaobi | E. F. Okaphor

Publisher:

Zainab Arabian Research Society for Multidisciplinary Issues ( ZARSMI )

Main Topics:

Law

Journal:

NG-Journal of Social Development 2017 Vol.6 Issue 4, pp.84-96

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

8/2017

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

107026

Frequency:

Tri-Annual

eISSN:

01895958

pISSN:

01895958

DOI:

10.12816/0039661

Descriptors:

Abstract:

 Indeed, there is no doubt that, women in Igbo land and all over the world have been suffering age long discrimination as regards inheritance and in other facets of life. This impedes their development and general wellbeing. This practice did not begin with colonization of Africa, since her indigenous people had their own established culture, customs, practices and way of life which regulated relationships among these communities including the right to inheritance. This paper focuses on Igbo customary inheritance by revisiting the case of Ukeje v Ukeje wherein, the Supreme Court gave a ruling that any customary law that denies the right of female children from inheriting their late father’s property is null and void. This is due to the fact that gender discrimination and prohibition of women’s right of inheritance is the order of the day under the Igbo customary law due to some factors which include; illiteracy, lack of females’ zeal and opportunities to fight for their right, non-codification of customary laws, amongst others. So, this paper centres on the need to eschew discrimination and guarantee females’ (daughters) right of inheritance in Nigeria, especially under the Igbo customary law, through the quickest possible means that is effective and legitimate. It examines the nature of inheritance practiced in Igbo customs and traditions and made a comparison with other customs. This will be done by a critical analysis of the celebrated case of Ukeje v Ukeje and other judicial decisions, legislative interventions, contributions by authors and researches (of which mine is one) in order to bridge this gender gap. The researcher realizes the fact that our legislations and recent judicial decisions have sought to scrap this obnoxious custom in the Igbo society; using the comparative and analytical methods. Therefore, there is a need for strict enforcement of our laws, the need for enlightenment of women in the society and the need for new laws and new directions for improved status of women.

Article Details

Revisiting the Case of Ukeje V Ukeje Viz A Viz Igbo Customary Inheritance

Authors:

B. N. Okpalaobi | E. F. Okaphor

Publisher:

Zainab Arabian Research Society for Multidisciplinary Issues ( ZARSMI )

Main Topics:

Law

Journal:

NG-Journal of Social Development 2017 Vol.6 Issue 4, pp.84-96

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

8/2017

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

107026

Frequency:

Tri-Annual

eISSN:

01895958

pISSN:

01895958

DOI:

10.12816/0039661

Descriptors:

INHERITANCE

WOMEN'S RIGHTS

CUSTOMS (TRADITIONS)

CUSTOMARY LAW

LEGAL SYSTEMS

CASES

COURTS

NIGERIA

Issues

Article Details

Authors: B. N. Okpalaobi | E. F. Okaphor

Publisher: Zainab Arabian Research Society for Multidisciplinary Issues ( ZARSMI )

Main Topics: Law

Journal: NG-Journal of Social Development 2017 Vol.6 Issue 4, pp.84-96

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 8/2017

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 107026

Frequency: Tri-Annual

eISSN: 01895958

pISSN: 01895958

DOI: 10.12816/0039661

Descriptors:

Issues

Authors:

B. N. Okpalaobi | E. F. Okaphor

Publisher:

Zainab Arabian Research Society for Multidisciplinary Issues ( ZARSMI )

Main Topics:

Law

Journal:

NG-Journal of Social Development 2017 Vol.6 Issue 4, pp.84-96

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

8/2017

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

107026

Frequency:

Tri-Annual

eISSN:

01895958

pISSN:

01895958

DOI:

10.12816/0039661