₦airaland Forum

She Was Asked to Drink Her Late Husband’s Bath Water But the Law Said No

The social media space was recently flooded with the heartbreaking story of a young widow from Awo Omamma in Oru East LGA, Imo State, whose husband died after a protracted illness.

During the burial, her in-laws allegedly insisted that she must drink and bathe with the water used in bathing her late husband’s corpse and even wanted to shave her children’s hair as part of a so-called cleansing ritual.

This is not just cruelty; it is a crime under Nigerian law.

Rescue came when the matter was reported to the Imo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, HH Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu (Mama Palliative) and the Office of Her Excellency, Chief Dr Chioma Uzodimma, wife of the Governor of Imo State.

Working with the Chairman of Oru East LGA, Virgin Heart Foundation, Onurube Initiative, and security personnel, the Ministry’s team intervened immediately and stopped the act. The widow and her children were rescued, and those involved handed over to law enforcement for prosecution.

Across Nigeria, many widows still suffer degrading and inhuman widowhood practices in the name of culture. But the law is clear and uncompromising.

Under Section 17 of the Imo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 8 of 2021,

“Drinking the water used in washing a widow’s husband’s corpse,”
“compulsory shaving of her hair,”
“sleeping beside the corpse,” and similar acts are criminal offences.

Anyone who carries out such practices is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not less than five hundred thousand naira or both.
Even attempting to commit such acts attracts imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand naira or both.

Before you say that is only in Imo State, know that most states in Nigeria have now domesticated the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, including Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Benue, and Edo States.

Widowhood is not a crime. It deserves compassion, not cruelty.
Any custom or tradition that humiliates or harms a widow is unlawful and punishable under the law.

Every widow in Nigeria should know this: you have rights and the law protects you.
If anyone tries to subject you to such treatment, report to the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Police, or a recognised human rights organisation.

I am Ebelechukwu Aroh, the Nigerian family and property lawyer.I help you protect what you cannot afford to lose; your land, your legacy, and your family.

#arohnwokaebelechukwu #ebelechukwulawfirm #familylawyer

This barbaric things only happens in Africa 🌍

Normally it'll take Nigeria 95years to catch up with the rest of the world

Drinking the water used in washing a widow’s husband’s corpse,”
“compulsory shaving of her hair,”
“sleeping beside the corpse,” and similar acts are criminal offences.

So disgusting to read..

This is why I always laugh whenever Ibo people open mouth to say northerners are drawing Nigeria backward. Not even the north is as primitive as Agulu land..

Goo0dHardDick:
This barbaric things only happens in Igbo land 🌍

Normally it'll take Agulu 950years to catch up with the rest of the world

This is about Igbo land, not Africa at all..

PulaPower:
This is about Igbo land, not Africa at all..

Travel to Kenya, Togo and Congo and see things for yourself.

Igbo land are on another level of m@dness when it comes to burying their dead and the deceased widow

Even devil dey learn work if you jam demonic and diabolic inlaws. If you jam man wey rich and successful man or an educated msn and the rest of his family members or siblings are majorly illiterate, poor men and women,you better run for your life.nobody dey bitter, angry, malicious, cranky,entitled and dirty reach them.theyre not educated to know that a man dying before the woman doesn't mean the woman killed the husband. They're full of hate,ill will and negative projection. Just stay away from them.their hatred is still concealed because of the benefits They're deriving from their brother so they have to be in their best behaviour. Let him die 1st then you will see hate.

Stay away from illiterate families where culture, diabolism,ego and toxcity is predominant over common sense and empathy