Anambra State Govt reacts as family allegedly excludes son’s widow from participating in his burial and forcefully takes her two children

The Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has issued a warning to the family of Aghaji, particularly Emmanuel Aghaji in Umuokwara Kindred, Amankwu Quarters Umuezeiyi village, Achina, Aguata Local Government Area of the state to desist from excluding their late brother’s widow, Mrs Chinelo Aghaji from participating in the burial of her late husband.

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner, Hon Ify Obinabo, in a statement on Thursday, August 22, 2024, said this warning came following a report made by the widow, alleging that upon her husband’s death, her in-laws took her two kids from her and forcefully ejected her from her house.

The widow also said that the matter has been reported to their kindred for a peaceful resolution but her late husband’s brother, Emmanuel Aghaji, who teamed up with other of his siblings allegedly refused all forms of mediation.

After a series of interrogations by the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, it was discovered that the in-laws had allegedly fixed the burial date of the late Paulinus Chukwuduruo Aghaji without involving the wife.

Speaking, Obinabo urged the community members, president generals, and local government transition committee chairman to rally around the widow and give her the necessary support needed to bury her husband.

She then warned that anyone who would stand in the way of the state government by excluding the widow from the burial of her late husband would face the law.

The burial is slated to be held on Saturday, 24th of August, 2024, at Achina.

In the obituary, the deceased is described as a son, brother, father, uncle and in-law. There is no mention of him as a husband.