News

Thrown Out in the Rain: An Anambra Widow’s Plea for Justice

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 10th, 2025.

Thrown Out in the Rain: An Anambra Widow’s Plea for Justice

A widow from Anambra State has come forward with a heartbreaking story of eviction following the death of her husband, accusing her late husband’s brother and his children of forcing her and her family out of their home.

Mrs. Eze-Onwumere Vivian shared with SaharaReporters on Wednesday the painful experience she has endured since her husband, Philimon, passed away on December 17, 2023, after battling illness for eight months.

She revealed, with a trembling voice, “After my husband’s burial, they claimed I am not part of the family and denied that my children belong to my late husband. They even questioned whether he is the biological father of my children.”

Despite presenting evidence of their traditional marriage, which took place at her father’s home in Nsukka and was witnessed by many of her late husband’s relatives, her in-laws refused to accept her and her children as rightful family members.

Things worsened when her husband’s relatives reportedly tried to sell the land where she lived with her son without her consent.

“They planned to sell the property without considering us at all,” Mrs. Vivian said angrily. “I intervened at the Ministry of Land to stop the sale, and this angered them.”

Mrs. Vivian recounted the hardship she faced while caring for her sick husband.

“When my husband was ill, no one else supported me except his elder brother, Christian Eze-Onwumere. We struggled and spent a lot, but sadly, my husband passed away,” she said.

Shortly after her husband’s death, her in-laws moved to sell the family land, prompting Mrs. Vivian to place a legal caveat to block the transaction.

“Just ten days after he died, they attempted to sell the land,” she explained. “I acted quickly and stopped the sale at the Ministry of Land by placing a caveat on the property.”

She accused her late husband’s brother, Isaiah Eze-Onwumere, and his children of aggressively trying to take over the estate.

“They claimed that Ebuka, my son, has the authority to sell the land,” she said. “But Ebuka didn’t even visit or offer support when my husband was sick. I won’t allow anyone to sell that land.”

With no relief in sight, Mrs. Vivian is appealing to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, and his wife for assistance in securing her rights and her children’s inheritance.

On July 4, her situation worsened drastically when, while she was out buying essentials, her house was demolished and her belongings thrown out into the rain under the supervision of a court bailiff.

“I asked why my things were outside in the rain and why my house was torn down,” she said. “They showed me a court order, but I never received any notice or papers. I am attending a different court regarding this issue.”

Tears streamed down her face as she looked at the destroyed home.

“They ruled against me without hearing my side,” she lamented. “Magistrate Court II in Nneni made a judgment without serving me any documents. I am begging Governor Soludo and his wife to intervene and help protect my family’s inheritance. We are being unjustly treated.”

Mrs. Vivian also questioned the conduct of the court bailiff involved.

“I asked him if he ever saw me during his visits,” she said. “He admitted he never did, yet claimed he served me summons. That’s not true—I have not received any court papers.”

She insisted the land was rightfully hers through her late husband, the last-born son of his father who built the property.

Her in-laws reportedly remain unrepentant.

“They told me that not even the Attorney General or the police could stop them because they have money and influence,” she shared. “They said government officials are corrupt and only work for what they get paid. I thought they were boasting until I saw the court’s unfair ruling.”

Attempts to contact Isaiah Eze-Onwumere for his side of the story have been unsuccessful as he has neither answered calls nor replied to messages.