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Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has signed four bills into law, including three aimed at reforming the state’s criminal justice system and an amendment to the law governing Abia State University (ABSU).
The laws are the Abia State University Amendment Law No. 4 of 2026, Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026, Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026, and Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.
Otti signed the laws at the Government House, Umuahia, on Monday, commending members of the Abia State House of Assembly, the judiciary and other government officials for their contributions to the legislative process.
The governor said he had carefully studied the bills before assenting to them, expressing satisfaction with their provisions and describing the reforms as important steps towards strengthening governance and accountability in the state.
He noted that existing legal limitations had sometimes hindered the effective implementation of government policies, particularly in enforcing disciplinary measures and ensuring accountability.
“Sometimes we find it difficult to implement some of the things we have in mind, because when you go and check the law, you’ll find that the law does not allow you to implement strict consequence management,” he said.
Otti, however, assured residents that his administration possessed the political will to enforce the newly enacted laws, stressing that effective implementation and respect for the rule of law were essential to maintaining order and ensuring good governance.
“What we can assure you here is that we have the will to ensure that the laws are respected. When there are laws and people respect the laws, everything looks like clockwork,” the governor stated.
On the amendment to the Abia State University law, Otti disclosed that his administration had commenced the relocation of the Faculties of Law and Agriculture from Umuahia to the university’s main campus in Uturu.
He explained that the relocation was intended to enable the faculties to benefit from shared facilities, improved infrastructure and ongoing investments at the institution. However, he clarified that the university’s teaching hospital in Aba would remain an exception.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, presented the four bills to the governor for assent and commended stakeholders who contributed to their consideration and passage.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, explained that the three criminal justice-related laws were designed to address unlawful conduct, improve the handling of criminal cases and provide a legal framework for repairing harm suffered by victims of crime.
Uwanna said the reforms responded to concerns over cult-related violence, kidnapping, destruction of public infrastructure, sexual violence and delays in criminal proceedings.
According to him, the Criminal Law strengthens provisions against cultism by addressing membership, sponsorship and the management of unlawful societies. It also introduces sanctions for the vandalisation of public infrastructure, including electricity transformers, boreholes and streetlights.
He added that the law strengthens protections against rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of violence, while recognising male and female rape victims and providing for a sex offenders register.
The law also addresses kidnapping, child exploitation and offences involving electronic records and digital assets.
On the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, the commissioner said it establishes procedures governing arrest, bail, remand, trial and sentencing, while prohibiting the arrest of one person in place of another and the use of arrest as a means of resolving civil disputes.
Uwanna further explained that the Restorative Justice Law provides a framework through which victims and offenders may voluntarily address responsibility and reparation under appropriate supervision and safeguards.
He noted, however, that the process excludes capital offences, kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and financial crimes.
“No victim should be pressured to accept an agreement. Restorative justice must operate within the law and under safeguards it prescribes,” he said.
The attorney-general acknowledged the contributions of the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai; the House of Assembly; the committee responsible for reviewing the laws; the Nigerian Bar Association; law enforcement agencies; and International IDEA and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) programme.
He disclosed that International IDEA and RoLAC II had also supported a retreat for lawmakers and pledged assistance with translating the newly enacted laws into Igbo.
Uwanna said the government’s next priority would be to ensure effective implementation through the circulation and translation of the laws, as well as training for relevant stakeholders.
