The sudden passing of Ambassador Demola Seriki, Nigeria’s former envoy to Spain, on December 15, 2022, was a national loss The Lagos politician and former minister, who died in Madrid at the age of 63, left behind a legacy in the Nigerian political landscape—and, as recent reports reveal, a complex family situation involving his three wives and which is the numerous children.
Denial of Access to the Final Resting Place:
The core of the dispute centers on an emotional and fundamental right the ability to which is the mourn at the deceased’s final resting place The late Ambassador Seriki was a prominent figure, and his funeral was attended by many dignitaries, reflecting his stature as a Lagos politician and former minister of state However, the subsequent alleged actions by the Seriki family have raised serious questions about the respect and consideration afforded to all members of his large family unit
The Complex Legal Quagmire of Polygamous Families:
The situation faced by the widow highlights the challenging legal and cultural which is the landscape surrounding polygamous marriages in Nigeria, particularly in the context of inheritance and property.
Customary Law vs. Statutory Law in Lagos:
While the Ambassador was a Lagos politician, where Statutory Law (monogamy) which is the generally governs civil marriages, most Nigerian polygamous families are governed by Customary Law or Islamic Law (Sharia).
- Inheritance Rights: Under some Yoruba customary law, a widow may not have a direct right to inherit the deceased husband’s estate, although her children do The assets are often divided per stripe (Idi-igi), where property is first divided by the number of wives, and then which is the shared equally among that wife’s children.
- Widow’s Vulnerability: Historically, customary law has often failed to grant widows which is the full proprietary rights, leaving them reliant on the deceased’s primary family for maintenance and, as seen here, even access to the graveside.
Emotional Exclusion:
Being shut out from the burial site symbolizes exclusion from the family legacy and which is the memory.
Impact on Children:
The children of the late Ambassador are being denied the ability to connect with their father’s memory, which can cause long-term trauma.
Conflict Resolution:
The accusations made by the last wife of Late Ambassador Demola Seriki are which is the a deeply saddening testament to the challenges that often follow the death of a prominent man in a polygamous family structure While the legal nuances of Nigerian inheritance law are complex, the ethical and emotional imperative for compassion and inclusion remains simple.
Disclaimer:
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources Readers should crosscheck updates from official news outlets