An Abuja-based human rights activist and legal practitioner, Bright Ifeanyi Uche, Esq, has advised men to guard against maltreatment of their children and loved ones by writing their Wills at the earliest convenience.
In an exclusive interview with Blueprint in Abuja Wednesday, Uche advocated for people to write their Wills and avoid the evils of dying interstate, “because of the peculiarities of our clime”.

He said: “Generally, the importance of spouses writing a Will cannot be overemphasized especially giving the ill advised apathy and frivolous superstitions Nigerians have in that regard. Like I have always advocated in favour of prenuptial agreement, I also advocate for people to write their Will and avoid the evils of dying interstate because of the peculiarities of our clime.

“Many have advocated for separate laws to protect the rights of people when their spouses die interstate, but I have always maintained and still maintain that we have sufficient laws to protect such interest. The only thing lacking is the will to take the necessary steps when our benefactor or spouse dies interstate.
“By virtue of section 42 of the Constitution, the major aspect of inheritance by women and by extension spouses has been laid to rest in SC.224/2004 filed by Mrs. Lois Chituru Ukeje (wife of the late Lazarus Ogbonna Ukeje) and their son, Enyinnaya Lazarus Ukeje, against Ms. Gladys Ada Ukeje (the deceased’s daughter).
“It was settled that women can inherit their parents properties too. It is also a trite law that where one dies interstate, his first line of next of kin is his or her spouse and the children. This also applies where such a person made a Will, but dies after getting married without revoking the previous Will made.

“In others words, such a person will be taken to have died interstate and his estate treated with that background.
The problem in Nigeria with someone dying interstate is that many people do not usually have the money to recruit the services of a lawyer to help them properly protect their rights or they will go with the clique of “we leave it in the hands of God”. My reaction should serve as a wake-up call to all of us to imbibe the culture of writing our Will because the benefits are enormous.”