Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, on Monday, assented to four bills designed to strengthen the criminal justice system, promote restorative justice and improve access to justice in the state.
Otti performed the signing at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, after they were passed by the 8th Abia House of Assembly.
The laws include the Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026, Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026 and Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.
The governor also assented to the Abia State University Amendment No. 2 Law No. 4 of 2026.
In a brief speech, he commended the legislators, the judiciary and other stakeholders for their contributions to the legislative process.
He said that the inadequate penalties in some extant laws often undermined efforts to address certain offences, citing illicit drug use.
According to him, stronger penalties for consumers can help curb the market for illegal drugs “because demand sustains supply.
Otti, however, gave assurance that his administration would ensure compliance with the new laws.
On the Abia State University Amendment Law, he said the relocation of the institution’s Umuahia campus back to its main campus in Uturu was intended to reduce administrative costs.
He further said that the relocation would enable students previously based in Umuahia to benefit from the infrastructure and other investments at the main campus.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, described the laws as “important legislative measures with significant implications for governance and the administration of justice”.
Emeruwa said that the assembly followed due legislative procedures in developing comprehensive laws to strengthen the criminal justice system and promote restorative justice.
He reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to supporting the Otti administration in promoting effective governance and strengthening state institutions.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the laws were designed to strengthen criminal justice administration, protect citizens and improve access to justice.
Uwanna explained that the three justice-related laws addressed criminal conduct, the handling of criminal cases and mechanisms for repairing harm caused by crime.
He said the reforms responded to public concerns over cultism, violence, kidnapping, destruction of public infrastructure, sexual violence and delays in criminal proceedings.
He explained that the Criminal Law strengthens measures against cultism by addressing membership, sponsorship, meetings and management of unlawful societies and secret cults.
He said the provisions extended beyond educational institutions to communities.
Uwanna also said that the law provides sanctions for vandalism of government infrastructure and dealings in stolen public assets.
“It also strengthens protection against rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and spousal violence,” he said.
He said the law recognises both male and female victims of rape and provides for a sex offenders’ register to promote accountability.
He explained that other provisions addressed kidnapping, child exploitation, corporate responsibility and offences involving electronic records and digital assets.
Uwanna said the law also broadened sentencing options to include restitution, where appropriate, to address harm caused by criminal conduct.
He thanked the governor for supporting the state’s justice reforms and disclosed plans to translate the laws into the Igbo Language to make their provisions more accessible to residents. (NAN)
