In a triumphant victory for widowhood rights, Mrs. Ukamaka Obi, a widow from Achi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, has regained full access to her late husband’s bank account and the ₦1.6 million allegedly confiscated by his family members.
The recovery, which included the return of the ATM card, unfolded on Wednesday, January 21, thanks to the decisive intervention of Enugu State First Lady, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, channeled through the Gusto Care Foundation.
Mrs. Obi, a young mother of two—a boy and a girl—faced immense hardship after her husband, Mr. Samuel Obi, passed away.
Family members reportedly seized control of his bank account, denying her access to vital funds needed to feed and care for her children.
They claimed to be “saving” the money for her, yet evidence emerged that they had withdrawn a staggering ₦1.6 million, plunging the widow into desperate straits.
The wife of the Enugu State Governor swiftly partnered with Gusto Care Foundation to address this injustice.
Mrs. Mbah dispatched a dedicated team to Achi, collaborating closely with Oji River Local Government Area’s leadership.
Key figures included Executive Chairman Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike, his wife and Chairperson Mrs. Uche Anyaegbudike, local authorities, and prominent community stakeholders, all united in resolving the dispute amicably.
This case starkly underscores the protections afforded to widows under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), which emphatically safeguards their fundamental human rights against discriminatory and exploitative practices.
Section 42 prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex, origin, or circumstances such as widowhood, ensuring no one suffers disadvantage due to marital status.
Equally vital, Section 17(2)(a) mandates the state to promote a society based on freedom, equality, and justice, directly challenging harmful customs that strip widows of inheritance or property rights.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), domesticated in Enugu State, further reinforces these constitutional guarantees by criminalizing widowhood practices like property seizure, forced eviction, or economic deprivation—acts that inflict psychological and economic violence.
Section 54 of VAPP explicitly outlaws such abuses, imposing penalties including imprisonment, affirming that no cultural pretext can override a widow’s right to her husband’s estate under the Succession Laws or customary frameworks reformed by constitutional supremacy.
In essence, Nigeria’s Constitution positions widows as equal citizens with inalienable rights to dignity (Section 34), personal liberty (Section 35), and fair hearing (Section 36).
These provisions dismantle archaic in-law seizures, empowering courts and authorities to intervene decisively, as seen here.
Mrs. Obi’s recovery is not just personal relief but a powerful precedent, reminding all that constitutional rights triumph over any familial overreach, fostering equity for vulnerable women across the nation.
Community reactions poured in with outrage, rejecting the incident as alien to local customs.
Barrister Chidimma Egeonu, Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, branded it a “harmful widowhood practice and inhumane,” calling for zero tolerance.
Comrade Egodi Igwe, Managing Director of Gusto Care Foundation, echoed this fury: “This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to happen to any widow or family in our communities.”
Mrs. Uche Anyaegbudike, Chairperson of Oji River LGA, added, “Such actions are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our community. We will continue to protect vulnerable members of our society and prevent similar occurrences.”
Chief Security Officer Mr. Nnaemeka Anyalebechi, known as “Radical,” and Achi community President-General Mr. Agozie pledged vigilant protection for Mrs. Obi and her children.
Mr. Agozie thanked Mrs. Mbah profusely, hailing her intervention as a beacon of compassion, justice, and responsive leadership.
This resolution not only restores Mrs. Obi’s financial stability but signals a broader shift in Enugu State toward upholding widows’ constitutional rights, deterring future violations through collaborative governance and community resolve.