Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed three major criminal justice reform laws aimed at tackling cultism, kidnapping, sexual violence and other offences, while also approving an amendment to the law governing Abia State University (ABSU).
The four bills, signed at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, include the Abia State University Amendment Law No. 4 of 2026, Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026, Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026 and Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.
The new laws are expected to strengthen the state’s criminal justice system, improve the handling of criminal cases, protect victims and promote accountability for offences committed against individuals and public institutions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Otti said his administration was determined to ensure that laws were not merely enacted but effectively enforced.
He explained that some government policies had previously been difficult to implement because existing laws did not provide sufficient legal backing for strict consequence management.
The governor, however, assured residents that his administration had the political will to ensure compliance with the new legal provisions.
“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,” he said.
Otti commended the state House of Assembly, the judiciary and officials involved in drafting and reviewing the legislation, noting that he had carefully examined the bills before granting assent.
New Criminal Law Targets Cultism, Infrastructure Vandalism
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the Criminal Law introduced stronger provisions against cult-related activities, including membership, sponsorship and management of unlawful societies.
He added that the law provided sanctions for the destruction of public infrastructure, including electricity transformers, boreholes and streetlights.
According to Uwanna, the legislation also strengthens protections against rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of violence.
He said it recognises male and female victims of rape, provides for a sex offenders register and addresses kidnapping, child exploitation, as well as offences involving electronic records and digital assets.
Uwanna noted that the reforms were designed to respond to public concerns over insecurity, violence against vulnerable persons, destruction of public facilities and delays in criminal proceedings.
Law Seeks to Prevent Unlawful Arrests, Delayed Trials
The Administration of Criminal Justice Law establishes procedures for arrest, bail, remand, trial and sentencing, with provisions intended to improve the administration of criminal cases.
Uwanna said the law prohibits the arrest of one person in place of another and the use of arrest as a means of pursuing civil disputes.
The measures are intended to promote fairness in criminal proceedings and address practices that can lead to abuse of law enforcement powers.
Restorative Justice Introduced With Safeguards
The Restorative Justice Law establishes a framework through which victims and offenders may voluntarily address responsibility for wrongdoing and agree on appropriate reparation under supervision.
However, Uwanna clarified that the framework excludes capital offences, kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and financial crimes.
He stressed that victims must not be pressured into accepting agreements under the restorative justice process, adding that its implementation would be guided by legal safeguards.
“No victim should be pressured to accept an agreement. Restorative justice must operate within the law and under safeguards it prescribes,” he said.
Otti Announces Relocation of Two ABSU Faculties
Beyond the criminal justice reforms, the governor disclosed that his administration had commenced the relocation of the Faculties of Law and Agriculture of Abia State University from Umuahia to the university’s main campus in Uturu.
He explained that the decision was intended to maximise shared services and take advantage of ongoing investments at the institution.
The university’s teaching hospital in Aba, however, would remain an exception to the relocation arrangement.
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 passage.
Uwanna also acknowledged the contributions of the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, the legislature, the review committee, the Nigerian Bar Association and law enforcement agencies.
He further commended International IDEA and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) programme for supporting the reform process, including a retreat for lawmakers and proposed assistance with translating the laws into Igbo.
The Attorney General said the next phase would focus on implementation, circulation and translation of the laws, as well as training for relevant stakeholders.
The effectiveness of the reforms will ultimately depend on how consistently the new provisions are implemented by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts and other relevant institutions.
