Ebonyi Widow: “They Want Me Out of My Husband’s Home”

Mrs Njideka Ngwuta, a widow from Nsokkara community in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has appealed for intervention over what she described as harassment, ostracism and attempts to force her out of her late husband’s home.

She said the dispute had affected her children and other members of the family.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the dispute has moved beyond a family property disagreement after the traditional ruler of the community reportedly disbanded the leadership of the women’s group involved.

THE LAND DISPUTE

Ngwuta said she had been married into the Ngwuta Anyigor family for about 27 years and had three children. She said her husband, his brothers and other male members of the family had died, leaving the family without adult male representatives.

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According to her, some members of her late husband’s kindred subsequently attempted to take control of family land and property.

She said the wider community previously considered the land matter and ruled in her favour.

HOW THE WOMEN’S GROUP BECAME INVOLVED

Ngwuta said she became uncomfortable after meetings of the Acharaukwu Development Union Women Wing were moved from a public playground to a private compound linked to her late husband’s family.

She said she refused to attend meetings held in private residences because of fears that she could be framed for an offence. The dispute subsequently escalated.

ALLEGED OSTRACISM

Ngwuta alleged that the women handed her a matchbox as a sign that she had been ostracised. She claimed she was subsequently banned from fetching water from community streams and boreholes, interacting with residents and entering community markets.

She also alleged that she was threatened with death if she disobeyed the orders. “At the moment, my life and the lives of my children are in grave danger,” she said.

She appealed to the Ebonyi State Government and other authorities to intervene.

WOMEN CONFIRM OSTRACISM

The President of the Acharaukwu Development Union Women Wing, Leticia Ngele, and another member, Eucheria Nwandende, confirmed that Ngwuta had been ostracised.

They accused the widow of carrying out what they described as harmful acts against other women. Ngwuta disputes those allegations.

MONARCH DISBANDS WOMEN’S GROUP

The traditional ruler of Nsokkara Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Festus Ifesinachi Okonkwo, condemned the treatment of the widow. He said the action was not part of the community’s culture.

The monarch subsequently disbanded the leadership of the women’s group and ordered Ngwuta to return to her matrimonial home.

He also said threats to her life would be treated seriously.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the monarch’s intervention has become the latest major development in the case, although questions over the land dispute and the competing allegations remain unresolved.