AWKA, Nigeria — In a shocking family dispute, the widow of late journalist Alphonsus Nweze is accusing her husband's brothers of selling a family land for N12 million just three days after his burial, a move she claims was done without her consent and strips her four children of their inheritance.
The controversy erupted when Mrs. Chioma Nweze, a widow with four children, broke down in tears during a visit from her late husband's journalism colleagues. She alleged that her husband's younger brothers sold the land while the family was still in mourning.
"Three days after my husband’s burial, two of his younger brothers went and sold Alphonsus’ land for N12 million. They didn’t consult me or my children," Mrs. Nweze said through sobs.
Her husband, Alphonsus Nweze, a respected Anambra State correspondent who worked for Champion Newspapers and Apex News, died in a motor accident in early October. He was buried on November 14, 2025.
Clashing Narratives and a Widow's Rejection
The widow explained that the land was previously recovered by her husband from encroachers and that he had consistently refused to sell it, seeing it as a secure asset for his children's future. However, commentators on social media have suggested the land may be a family property, with some saying the late journalist was the custodian as the eldest brother and that authority may have transferred upon his death.
Mrs. Nweze alleges her brothers-in-law offered to send her husband's supposed share of the N12 million through a niece her husband had trained in school. She has firmly rejected this arrangement.
"I learnt they asked for the account number of someone my husband trained, saying they would send what they claimed was my husband’s share through him. I told them I am not interested," she stated.
A Wider Pattern of Disputes
This incident is not isolated in Anambra State. Similar distressing cases highlight the vulnerable position widows can face:
* Eviction and Threats: In July 2025, widow Mrs. Vivian Ezeonwumelu reported being violently evicted from her family home by her brother-in-law over a two-plot land dispute, leaving her and her son to sleep on the streets.
* Withheld Burial: In another prolonged case, a widow was only able to bury her husband after over a year when the state government intervened in a dispute where the late man's brother had allegedly taken control of the corpse.
Journalists Rally in Support
During their visit to the Nweze family home in Asaba, members of the Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel presented the widow with a cheque of N600,000 raised as a support fund.
Led by Chairman Chuks Ilozue, the delegation, which included support from prominent figures like Senator Victor Umeh, encouraged the widow to remain strong and assured her of their continued support.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Nweze has been advised by the public to seek legal recourse. Suggestions include contacting the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Nigeria or a human rights lawyer to explore options for recovering the land or securing her family's rightful share of the proceeds.
The case has sparked a broader debate online. While some sympathize with the widow and condemn the brothers' lack of consultation, others speculate that the quick sale might have been motivated by family financial pressures, such as covering burial costs or settling other claims on the land.
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