Anambra Community Fines Women N50,000 For Wearing Trousers

Akwaihedi community in Nnewi South Local
Government Area of Anambra State has reportedly
passed a draconian law forbidding women from
wearing trousers. Accordingly, anyone that flouts the
law will be fined N50, 000.
A source said: "Anyone caught breaking the law will
be molested and fined N50, 000 or be banished".
The source said but for the quick intervention of
youths, female members of the National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC), posted to the community,
would have been stri*ped.
One of the affected corps member (names withheld),
said she was surprised when the ruler berated her for
wearing the NYSC uniform, which includes khaki
trousers.
Another source, who preferred anonymity, alleged
that 10 people had been fined by the community
court for flouting the law.
The source said the situation was serious as
policemen were not permitted to enter the
community because the monarch said the traditional
court would handle domestic issues.
The law promulgated by the Igwe and the president-
general of the town union, stipulated that no woman
should wear trousers. They also banned women from
appearing in public without covering their heads.
A correspondent of The Nation, who spoke with the
traditional ruler of the community, Lt.-Col. Wisdom
Onebunne (rtd), claimed that the matter had been
resolved and refused to go into further details.