When a person passes away without leaving a will, the impact on their family can be devastating, often leading to intense and violent disputes over inheritance. The once-strong bonds between siblings can quickly dissolve into bitter conflict, turning what should be a period of mourning into a brutal battle for control of the deceased’s assets. In some cases, these disputes escalate to the point of physical violence, marking the struggle for inheritance with bloodshed and deep emotional scars.
Jonah Justice’s story is a vivid illustration of how the absence of a will can tear a family apart. “While our father’s body was still lying in the mortuary, my younger brother began selling off all his lands,” Jonah recounted to an audience, who listened in disbelief. “Before we knew what was happening, strangers came to claim our family house, saying it had already been sold by my brother.”
Jonah, at just 29 years old, had been thrust into the role of family patriarch when his father died. His younger brother, only 19 at the time, quickly became a source of tension and conflict as he began to lay claim to their father’s estate. Jonah had expected that the process of managing their father’s inheritance would be a cooperative effort, especially since they were the only two children. However, instead of cooperation, he encountered betrayal and hostility.
Their mother, Eunice, a retired nursing officer with the Plateau State Ministry of Health, was overwhelmed with grief following the loss of her husband. Yet, even in her deepest sorrow, she was forced to confront the reality of watching her husband’s legacy slip away. Her son had started selling the family’s assets while they were still arranging the funeral, adding to her immense grief.
“Since my husband passed in 2018 and my son began selling off his inheritance, I haven’t seen him,” Eunice said, her voice trembling with emotion. “It’s been a nightmare watching everything we built together vanish before my eyes.”
The situation reached a breaking point when Jonah confronted his younger brother about the unauthorized sale of their inheritance. In a shocking turn of events, the younger brother hired thugs to attack Jonah. “If you look closely at his head, you’ll see a deep scar from a machete. He was inches away from death,” Eunice added, tears streaming down her face.
Eunice expressed her disbelief over her son’s drastic change, lamenting how he had become unrecognizable. “We raised him with love and taught him the ways of God,” she said. “He was such a bright student, just admitted to study Biology Education at the Federal University, Lafia. But now, I don’t even know who he is anymore.”
The heart-wrenching story of Jonah and his family is a stark reminder of how inheritance disputes can shatter families, leaving behind a legacy of pain and regret. The struggle over inheritance, rather than bringing the family together in a time of loss, had instead driven them apart, leaving scars that may never heal.
Similar tragic stories abound, like the one involving Abubakar Sani and his brother Kabiru in Niger State. In March 2024, what began as a disagreement over a property inheritance ended in a horrifying tragedy. Abubakar, in a fit of rage, fatally attacked Kabiru with a large stick, leaving him unconscious. Kabiru was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Gawu but was pronounced dead on arrival. The dispute over inheritance had turned deadly, tearing a once-close family apart and leaving a community in shock.
The story of Chinonso Azuatalam further illustrates how deadly inheritance disputes can become. On April 13, 2021, Chinonso, a 29-year-old welder in Imo State, was brutally murdered by his siblings over an inheritance dispute. The day had started normally for Chinonso, who shared a meal with his wife and daughters before heading to work. But a frantic call from his wife, who was under attack by his sister, Chioma, turned the day into a nightmare.
Chinonso rushed home to find his pregnant wife being assaulted by his sister. In trying to protect his family and resolve the conflict over their father’s inheritance, he was viciously attacked by his siblings. They struck him with a large stick and delivered a deep machete wound to his head, killing him. The inheritance dispute had claimed yet another life, leaving Chinonso’s wife, Chinaza, devastated and struggling to care for their children.
Chinaza tearfully recalled how her husband had been entangled in disputes over his father’s inheritance, feeling unjustly deprived as the first son. This ongoing conflict eventually led to his tragic death. “My husband’s family had always belittled him, and now they’ve taken his life over property,” she lamented. “I’m left alone to raise our children and the baby I’m expecting, with no idea how to support them.”
In another shocking case from February 2021, two sisters in Enugu were sentenced to death for orchestrating the murder of their parents to seize control of their inheritance. Their greed and desire for wealth led them down a dark path, ultimately resulting in a tragic betrayal of the very people who had raised them.
These stories highlight the critical importance of writing a will to prevent such devastating inheritance disputes. Without a clear legal document outlining how assets should be distributed, families can be torn apart, and lives can be lost in the struggle for control.
Legal experts like Mrs. Titilola Akinlawon stress the importance of drafting a will. “Death is inevitable, and it’s crucial to ensure that a will is in place to dictate the distribution of one’s assets,” she stated during a public lecture. “Without a will, your loved ones may be left at the mercy of distant relatives or the courts, leading to bitter disputes and even violence.”
A will serves as a vital legal tool, allowing individuals to specify how their inheritance should be managed after their death. It can prevent the kind of tragic outcomes seen in cases like those of Jonah, Abubakar, and Chinonso. Moreover, it gives the testator control over who inherits their property, ensuring that their wishes are respected.
Understanding the legal framework surrounding wills is essential for anyone seeking to protect their family from the chaos that can follow an inheritance dispute. In Nigeria, various statutes regulate the creation and administration of wills, such as the Wills Act of 1837 and the Wills Law of Lagos State. These laws provide a structure for individuals to dictate how their assets should be distributed, reducing the likelihood of disputes.
However, despite the clear benefits of writing a will, many Nigerians are reluctant to do so. Cultural beliefs, fear of death, and family dynamics all contribute to this hesitation. Some view discussing death as taboo, believing it might invite misfortune. Others worry that drafting a will could disrupt family harmony or signal a lack of faith in divine protection.
Yet, as the tragic stories of inheritance disputes show, failing to prepare a will can lead to far greater harm. By taking the time to outline their wishes, individuals can help prevent their families from descending into the kind of bitter and violent conflicts that have claimed so many lives.
The absence of a will can turn inheritance into a source of division, violence, and heartbreak. Families who might otherwise support each other through a time of loss are instead torn apart by disputes over property. To avoid such outcomes, it is essential to understand the importance of wills and to take the necessary steps to ensure that one’s assets are distributed according to their wishes. In doing so, individuals can protect their families from the devastating consequences of inheritance disputes and ensure that their legacy is one of peace, not conflict.