Enugu State First Lady Nkechinyere Mbah has intervened to rescue a 26-year-old widow, Mrs Mercy Sunday, who was accused by her in-laws of causing her husband's death and subjected to forced oath-taking to prove her innocence. The widow was also ejected from her community in Nkerefi, Nkanu East Local Government Area, without her two young children, aged 5 and 3.
Widow's Ordeal
According to reports, after her husband died following a brief illness, the in-laws accused her of being responsible for his death. They forced her to undergo an oath-taking ceremony to prove her innocence and subjected her to other degrading widowhood practices. Subsequently, she was forcibly removed from the community while her children were taken away. The late husband's siblings also circulated defamatory and false allegations against her on Facebook and via WhatsApp status updates.
The distressing incident came to the attention of the First Lady after her office received a formal complaint from the widow. In a statement issued on Thursday, July 2, 2026, Mrs Mbah described the actions as harmful widowhood practices, child separation, and online defamation, all of which violate the widow's fundamental human rights and the provisions of the Enugu State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, 2018.
First Lady's Response
“Following the death of her husband after a brief illness, she reported being accused by her late husband’s family of causing his death, being subjected to forced oath-taking to prove her innocence, and being exposed to degrading widowhood practices,” Mrs Mbah said. “In a more troubling development, her two young children, aged 5 and 3, were taken away from her, and she was forcefully ejected from the community. She also faced further harm through false and defamatory posts circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp.”
Upon receiving the complaint, the First Lady's office activated its child protection and mediation response. The case was documented, evidence of online defamation was preserved, and the family was formally engaged through a structured mediation process.
Mediation and Resolution
During a mediation session held at the First Lady's office, the issues were addressed directly, including the unlawful separation of mother and children, the reported abuse, and the circulation of false allegations. The family was guided on the legal protections available to widows and children, as well as the implications of cyber defamation and harmful traditional practices under the law.
The engagement led to a clear resolution: the children were reunited with their mother, while the late husband’s properties, including three motorcycles and business shops, were secured in trust for their welfare and future inheritance. The defamatory posts were taken down, and the family issued a formal apology. A written agreement was signed, with follow-up monitoring in place to ensure compliance.
Commitment to Protection
“Through my office and my foundation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that women like her and other vulnerable groups are protected, heard, and empowered to live with dignity,” Mrs Mbah stated. The intervention underscores the state government's dedication to upholding the rights of widows and children and eradicating harmful traditional practices.
