MATRIMONIAL

The revolt against patriarchy is not a recent development. It can be traced to the hallowed days of the Holy Bible (Numbers 27). Where the Zelophead daughters made agitation against being ousted from their deceased father’s inheritance. The creator took the time to make clear what is now incorporated in the constitutions and legal instruments of civilized nations as well as international conventions, which is that sex is not a base to determine propertiary rights. All human beings are born equal into a free world with equal opportunities, until culture, race and traditions begins to separate us. Thus, the focus of this paper will be an analysis of the position of the law with regards to women inheritance in Nigeria, with the customary practices in Eastern Nigeria as a case study, the rights of spouses to the estate of their husbands, while alive and upon demise. The unfairness in the proprietary customary practices in the eastern Nigeria will be exposed and a plea will be made for enforcement of more favorable practices to women proprietary rights. We will also be looking at the impediments to women’s rights in Nigeria. As well as the possible remedies and recommendations for a change in the social-cultural climate in the Eastern Nigeria.