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ABSTRACT
There is no doubt 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 research 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 because 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, and minimal opportunities to fight for their right, non-codification of customary laws, amongst others. So, this research centers on the need to eschew discrimination and guarantee females’ (daughters) right of inheritance in Nigeria, especially under the Igbo customary law, through possible means that are 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 juxtaposing the celebrated case of Ukeje v Ukeje and other judicial decisions, legislative interventions, contributions by authors and researchers to bridge this gender gap. The research realizes the fact that our legislation and recent judicial decisions have sought to scrap this obnoxious custom in the Igbo society. Therefore, it recommends there is a need for strict enforcement of our laws, the need for the enlightenment of women in the society and the need for new laws and new directions for the improved status of women and concluded that there is an urgent need for the domestication of international laws.
