Mrs. Chinenye Okonkwo, a 37-year-old widow from Umuodilogu Kindred, Oraifite, in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, is appealing to the Anambra State Government and human rights organizations for assistance in reclaiming her late husband’s property from his siblings.
Speaking to the press on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in Oraifite, Mrs. Okonkwo revealed that her late husband’s siblings encroached on their land, appropriated blocks intended for their proposed building, and forced her and her five children into exile.
Despite efforts from the Umuodilogu village kindred and the widows’ organization affiliated with the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation to mediate the dispute, a resolution remains elusive.
‘My Late husband, Linus Okonkwo showed me the boundary of his land before his death in 2017 at age of 45. He also molded blocks for a four bedroom flat.
‘But his siblings, Boniface and CY Okonkwo are trouble makers.They
sent me away asking me to go remarry and they will consider my children when they are grown.
‘They even threatened to kill me if they see me in the family compound. I’m currently living in a rented apartment with my kids. I’m struggling to pay both house rent and children’s school fees.
‘I’m appealing to the state government and well-meaning Nigerians to help me
recover my late husband’s property from his siblings.
For her part, the Leader of the widows’ organisation, Mrs Ogechi Izuka, said they reported the matter to the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Awka, and the culprits had been served papers.
‘Unfortunately, our NGO, do not have the right to interfere in family affairs. There is a limit we can go. We can only resort to protest or demonstration if the matter is life threatening.
‘We want both the government and members of the public to intervene to serve as deterrent to others who may be planning similar actions on other widows. We want this to be the last,’ she said.
Earlier in a remark, the Chairman, Umuodilogu kindred, Mr Francis Okafor, said they frowned and strongly condemned actions of the widow’s brother-in-law.
‘We have been trying to amicably resolve the matter in-house, but it escalated when Boniface and his team resorted to violence, the first of its kind in our kindred.
‘They even threatened to kill one of our kinsman for defending the widow,’ he concluded.
Efforts made by the reporter as the time filling this report to reach the accused persons proved abortive .
