NHRC seeks justice for ebony woman allegedly killed for inheritance reasons

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Ebonyi State has renewed its call for justice in the killing of Nnenna Onu, a 35-year-old woman allegedly killed in a family inheritance dispute.

The incident, which occurred in December 2021 in Amagu, Anike community in Onicha Local Government Area, reportedly involved relatives opposed to her claim to her late father’s property.

According to the Coordinator of the NHRC in the state, Christopher Okorie, the case has faced prolonged delays, prompting a renewed advocacy for accountability and justice.

He described the circumstances of the murder as disturbing, noting that the victim’s insistence on inheriting the property as a woman may have led to her death.

Onu, a public administration graduate from the Federal Polytechnic, Akanu Ibiam, Afikpo, was reportedly attacked and her body burnt beyond recognition.

The dispute is said to have arisen from family tensions, as the deceased and her sisters, all females, were allegedly denied inheritance rights following their father’s death.

Authorities had earlier arrested a suspect, Chidiebere Okoro, who is currently detained at the Abakaliki Correctional Center after being arraigned in court.

Okorie said the commission has been monitoring the case since 2021 and has recently stepped up efforts to ensure progress in the matter.

He called on civil society organizations in Ebonyi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and the media to collaborate to ensure justice is served.

Meanwhile, the victim’s younger sister, Juliet Onu, has appealed to Governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene in the case.

He described the family’s situation as difficult, revealing that the mother had been displaced from her matrimonial home for years following the dispute.

Juliet complained about what she described as discrimination against women in matters of inheritance, expressing hope that justice would ultimately prevail.

The case has reignited debate over women’s inheritance rights in Nigeria, particularly in communities where cultural practices limit the ownership of female children.