A Nigerian legal practitioner, Stella Justice Nnennaya, has clarified that women climbing palm trees is not a criminal offence under Nigerian law, despite cultural taboos in some communities.
Nnennaya, who shared her views on her “Legal and Marriage Clinic” Facebook platform, explained that while certain traditions discourage women from climbing palm trees or cutting palm fronds, such practices are rooted in culture rather than enforceable law.
According to her, the legality of harvesting palm fruits is not determined by gender but by ownership and rights. She stressed that individuals are free to climb and harvest from palm trees that belong to them or their families.
However, she warned that climbing a palm tree without the owner’s permission regardless of whether the person is male or female could constitute legal offences such as trespass or theft.
“Respect culture, but do not confuse tradition with legality,” she stated, emphasizing that ignorance of one’s rights, rather than the act of climbing a palm tree, is what can lead to legal consequences.
Nnennaya reiterated that property rights remain central to the issue, noting that disputes often arise when individuals harvest from trees they do not own.
Her comments have sparked conversations online about the intersection of cultural practices, gender roles, and legal rights in Nigerian society.
