Abia State Governor Alex Otti has signed four bills into law, introducing significant changes to criminal justice administration and university governance.
The newly signed laws are:
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.
Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Ikechukwu Uwanna explained that the reforms strengthen provisions addressing cultism, kidnapping, sexual offences, vandalism of public infrastructure and other crimes.
The criminal justice legislation also prohibits arresting individuals in place of suspects and using criminal arrests to settle civil disputes.
Governor Otti additionally disclosed that the Faculties of Law and Agriculture of Abia State University were being relocated from Umuahia to the university’s main campus in Uturu.
The university’s teaching hospital in Aba will remain an exception.
