NHRC Advocates for Justice in Case of Ebonyi Woman Allegedly Killed Over Inheritance

The Ebonyi State branch of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for justice on behalf of the family of Nnenna Onu, a 35-year-old woman who was allegedly killed by her cousins over a dispute regarding her father’s property.

Reports indicate that Nnenna Onu was murdered and her body burned beyond recognition in December 2021, at Amagu, Anike within the Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

Onu, a Public Administration graduate from the Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Afikpo, had been living under difficult circumstances for the past five years, as she and her female siblings, along with their elderly mother, were forced out of their father’s house. This dire situation arose because their father had no male heirs.

The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended a suspect, identified as Chidiebere Okoro, in connection with the murder. He is currently being held at the maximum correctional facility in Abakaliki.

Christopher Okorie, the NHRC’s coordinator in Ebonyi, expressed concern over the delays in the case and urged the state government and concerned citizens to ensure that Onu’s family receives justice. He highlighted the unfortunate reality that Onu's desire to inherit her father's property as a woman led to her tragic demise, labeling the act as barbaric.

"The NHRC has been monitoring this case since 2021 and has revived it in 2026. We are pleased to announce that one of the suspects has been charged, and there is a need for collaborative efforts from civil society organizations, law enforcement, the media, and other stakeholders to ensure justice is served," Okorie stated.

Juliet Onu, the victim's younger sister, has publicly appealed to Governor Francis Nwifuru for intervention, lamenting their family's struggles since the incident. She stated, "My mother has not returned to her husband's home. She has been living with my husband and me. It's as if being a woman is a crime here. I pray for justice in the end."