22/08/2025
Burial Dispute Erupts as First Son Allegedly Demands Settlement from Siblings in Imo State.
A family in Imo State is embroiled in a burial dispute following the de@th of their mother, as the first son, Uzoma Nwawere, allegedly refused to allow his mother to be buried in the family compound unless he receives a financial settlement from his married sisters and their spouses.
According to a retired police officer who spoke at the family compound, the couple had multiple children, including Uzoma—their first son—and five daughters, all of whom are married to men from Mbano.
The retired officer claimed that the daughters had cared for their mother during her final years but allegedly neglected their brother and failed to accord him the traditional respect due to a first son. He further alleged that the daughters, in collaboration with their mother, treated Uzoma in a manner that violated cultural expectations.
“Uzoma has been living in the family home under difficult conditions, while his sisters, who are married out, have prospered,” the officer stated in Igbo. “Now that their mother has passed, Uzoma insists that she cannot be buried in the family compound—now his by inheritance—unless he is settled.”
The incident has sparked debate over customary inheritance rights and burial traditions in southeastern Nigeria, where the role of the first son often carries significant cultural weight. Legal experts note that while customary law may grant the first son certain privileges, coercing family members for financial compensation in exchange for burial rights could be considered exploitative and may lead to civil litigation.
As of the time of reporting, no formal mediation has been announced, and the burial arrangements remain unresolved.