Precious Nwonu, Enugu

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed four bills into law, including three aimed at reforming the state’s criminal justice system and another to amend the law governing Abia State University.

The laws, signed at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, are 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.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Otti commended the state House of Assembly, the judiciary and government officials for their contributions to the development and passage of the legislation.

The governor said he had carefully reviewed the bills before approving them, expressing confidence that the new laws would strengthen governance and improve the administration of justice in the state.

He noted that some government policies were difficult to enforce because existing laws did not provide sufficient authority for appropriate sanctions and consequence management.

Otti, however, assured residents that his administration was committed to ensuring compliance with the new legislation, stressing that laws would only achieve their intended purpose when properly enforced.

The governor also disclosed that the relocation of the Faculties of Law and Agriculture of Abia State University from Umuahia to the institution’s main campus in Uturu had commenced.

He explained that the move was intended to improve access to shared facilities and take advantage of ongoing investments at the university’s main campus. The institution’s teaching hospital in Aba, he added, would remain in the city.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, presented the four bills to the governor for assent and acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders involved in their passage.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the three criminal justice laws were designed to address criminal offences, improve the handling of criminal cases and establish mechanisms for repairing harm suffered by victims.

Uwanna said the reforms responded to concerns about cult-related violence, kidnapping, destruction of public infrastructure, sexual violence and delays in criminal proceedings.

He explained that the new Criminal Law strengthened provisions against cultism by addressing membership, sponsorship and management of unlawful societies. It also prescribed sanctions for the destruction of public facilities, including electricity transformers, boreholes and streetlights.

According to the attorney general, the legislation also strengthened protections against rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of violence. It recognises male and female rape victims, provides for a sex offenders register and addresses kidnapping, child exploitation and offences involving electronic records and digital assets.

The Administration of Criminal Justice Law establishes procedures governing arrest, bail, remand, trial and sentencing. It also prohibits the arrest of individuals on behalf of other persons and the use of arrest as a means of resolving civil disputes.

Uwanna said the Restorative Justice Law introduced a framework through which victims and offenders could voluntarily address the consequences of crimes and agree on reparation under appropriate supervision.

He noted that the framework excluded serious offences such as capital crimes, kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and financial crimes.

The attorney general stressed that participation in restorative justice must be voluntary, warning that victims must not be pressured into accepting agreements.

He commended the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, the state House of Assembly, the review committee, the Nigerian Bar Association, law enforcement agencies, International IDEA and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) programme for supporting the reforms.

Uwanna added that International IDEA and RoLAC II had supported a retreat for lawmakers and pledged assistance towards translating the new laws into Igbo.

He said the state government would now focus on implementing the legislation, distributing copies, translating the laws and training relevant stakeholders to ensure effective enforcement.