- Governor Alex Otti has officially signed the “Abia State Centre for the Rehabilitation of Survivors of Rape, Defilement, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Law, 2026.”
- The newly enacted law mandates the creation of specialized facilities to offer medical treatment, forensic services, and psychological counseling for survivors under one roof.
- Championed by the First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the law aims to bridge the gap between reporting abuse and the long-term rehabilitation of women and children.
Governor Alex Otti has signed into law a bill to establish rehabilitation centers for survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the ceremony, held at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, April 20, 2026, marks a pivotal shift in the state’s approach to handling gender-based violence.
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Governor Otti commended the Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, and the House of Assembly for the “record time” in which the bill was passed.
He emphasized that while the centers are a mechanical necessity for healing, the long-term goal is a total societal reorientation. “Rape, child abuse, and human trafficking are alien to Igbo culture,” Otti noted, calling for a return to traditional values that condemn such acts.
The First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, who initiated the bill, expressed her elation at its fruition.
She highlighted that the law provides more than just temporary shelter; it offers a structured pathway for survivors to regain their lives.
“This bill gives hope to our women and girls that they would not only get support but would also be rehabilitated and given the support they need to move forward,” she said.
The Speaker of the House, Emmanuel Emeruwa, added that the legislation underwent rigorous due process, reflecting the state’s commitment to creating a “very positive” precedent for social welfare in the region.
Beyond rehabilitation, the Otti administration is linking security and social justice to economic empowerment.
The Governor stated that creating jobs for the youth is a core strategy to reduce the social frustrations that often lead to criminal behavior and domestic strife.
