Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assented to four new laws passed by the 8th Abia State House of Assembly, including an amendment empowering the executive arm to relocate the Umuahia campus of Abia State University (ABSU) to its main campus in Uturu.
The four laws, signed at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, are the Abia State University Amendment No. 2 Law No. 4 of 2026, the Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026, the Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026 and the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Otti explained that the proposed relocation of the ABSU Umuahia campus was intended to reduce administrative costs and enable students to benefit from the infrastructure and other investments at the university’s main campus in Uturu.
The governor said the amendment would provide the legal framework for the executive to implement the relocation, while addressing administrative challenges associated with the university’s existing campus arrangements.
The governor also stressed the importance of effective law enforcement, noting that the absence of clear and sufficiently strong consequences for certain offences could hinder the implementation of government policies.
Using laws relating to narcotics and hard drugs as an example, Otti observed that legal limitations could make it difficult for the government to take some of the actions it considers necessary to address social challenges.
He commended members of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly for their work on the legislation and acknowledged the contributions of the judiciary and other stakeholders involved in the lawmaking process.
Otti assured residents that his administration was committed to ensuring compliance with the state’s laws.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Emmanuel Emeruwa, presented the four laws to the governor for assent, describing them as important legislative measures with significant implications for governance and the administration of justice.
Emeruwa said the legislation was designed to strengthen the state’s criminal justice system, promote restorative justice and improve the administration of justice.
On the ABSU amendment, the Speaker explained that the legislation was intended to address issues arising from the university’s existing administrative and campus arrangements.
He also reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to supporting institutional development and effective governance in the state.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the four laws were designed to strengthen criminal justice administration, protect citizens and improve access to justice.
According to Uwanna, the three justice-related laws address criminal conduct, the handling of criminal cases and mechanisms for repairing harm caused by crime.
He explained that the reforms respond to public concerns over cultism, violence, kidnapping, destruction of public infrastructure, sexual violence and delays in criminal proceedings.
The Criminal Law, he said, strengthens provisions against unlawful societies and secret cults by addressing membership, sponsorship, meetings and management of such groups.
He added that the provisions extend beyond educational institutions to communities, broadening the scope of efforts to tackle cult related activities.
The Administration of Criminal Justice Law and the Restorative Justice Law are also intended to improve the handling of criminal cases and provide mechanisms for addressing harm caused by crime.
The signing of the four laws marks a further legislative development in Abia State, covering university administration, criminal accountability and the delivery of justice.
While the ABSU amendment provides a legal basis for the proposed campus relocation, implementation details will be important in determining how the transition will affect students, staff and the university’s operations.
