The Abia State government recently secured convictions against two individuals for the sexual assault of minors. The Family Court located at the Umuahia High Court delivered the rulings, as announced by Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu during a press briefing led by Governor Alex Otti.
One convict received a 30-year prison term for raping a teenager, while the other was handed a 10-year sentence for abusing a five-year-old. These victims, along with others impacted by domestic or gender-based violence, are currently undergoing care at the state’s specialized treatment center in Aba.
Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Blessing Felix, noted that police successfully apprehended a suspect in Nasarawa State who had attempted to evade justice. That individual entered a guilty plea on July 9, 2026, resulting in an immediate conviction.
Furthermore, the state has established an official register at the Ministry of Justice to publicly identify those convicted of sexual crimes. This measure aims to deter future offenses through public exposure. Additionally, Health Commissioner Prof. Enoch Uche reported a significant decline in infant mortality rates within the state during the first quarter of 2026.
