Abia State Governor 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 newly enacted 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.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at Government House, Umuahia, on Monday, Otti thanked members of the Abia State House of Assembly, the judiciary and staff of both arms of government for their contributions to the development and passage of the legislation.

The governor said he had carefully reviewed the bills and was satisfied with their provisions, noting that existing legal restrictions could sometimes prevent the government from enforcing strict consequences for misconduct.

“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 stressed that passing legislation was only one part of the process, adding that effective enforcement would be necessary to achieve the intended results.

“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.

The governor also disclosed that his administration had begun relocating the Faculties of Law and Agriculture of Abia State University from Umuahia to the institution’s main campus in Uturu to improve access to shared facilities and ongoing investments. However, the university’s teaching hospital in Aba would remain at its current location.

New Criminal Law Targets Cultism, Kidnapping and Sexual Violence

Earlier, 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.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, explained that the three justice-related laws address prohibited conduct, establish procedures for handling criminal cases and provide mechanisms for addressing harm caused by crime.

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

“These reforms respond to the concerns of our people, the fear of cult violence, kidnapping, destruction of public facilities, the suffering of victims of sexual violence, and the frustration of criminal proceedings that take too long,” he said.

According to the attorney general, the Criminal Law strengthens measures against cultism by addressing membership of, sponsorship of and participation in the management of unlawful societies.

It also provides sanctions for the vandalisation of public infrastructure, including transformers, boreholes and streetlights, while strengthening protections against rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of violence.

Uwanna said the law recognises both male and female victims of rape, provides for a sex offenders register and addresses kidnapping, child exploitation and offences involving electronic records and digital assets.

Criminal Justice Law Sets Procedures for Arrest and Trial

The Administration of Criminal Justice Law establishes procedures governing arrest, bail, remand, trial and sentencing.

Uwanna explained that the law also prohibits the arrest of one person in place of another and the use of arrest as a means of pursuing civil disputes.

The provisions are intended to strengthen safeguards within the criminal justice process and promote more appropriate handling of criminal cases.

Restorative Justice Introduces Voluntary Reparation Framework

The attorney general said the Restorative Justice Law creates a framework through which victims and offenders can voluntarily address responsibility for harm and agree on reparation under appropriate supervision.

However, he clarified that the process excludes capital offences, kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and financial crimes.

Uwanna emphasised that participation by victims must remain voluntary and that restorative justice arrangements must comply with 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.

He expressed appreciation to 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 RoLAC II for supporting the reform process.

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

Uwanna said the next phase would focus on implementing and circulating the new laws, translating their provisions and training relevant stakeholders to ensure they understand and apply them effectively.