The Imo State House of Assembly today repealed the controversial Law No: 12 of 2012 popularly known as abortion law.
The repealing of the law followed the unanimous adoption and acceptance of the recommendation of the Hon. Ikenna Emeh led Ad- hoc committee set up by the House to look at the contentious section 40 (1) g, h, I and recommend the best way to make the section align with the wishes and aspirations of Imo citizens.
The committee in its report recommended that the House carries out a wholesale repeal of the law to ease tension and calm frayed nerves.
before repealing the law, Chief Sponsor of the bill for a law to repeal the law, Hon Stan Dara, representing Orsu State Constituency, urged the House to relax House Rule No. 27, 10 and further relax orders 52-55 which deal with processes of law-making to give the bill accelerated hearing and passage.
The House unanimously approved for the relaxation of the orders culminating in the third reading and subsequent repelling of the law.
speaking shortly after, Hon. Ikechukwu Amuka representing Ideato South Constituency lauded his colleagues for hearkening to the yearnings of Imo people, pointing out that the action would increase the confidence of the electorate on the legislature.
Also speaking, the member representing Ikeduru State Constituency, Hon Samuel Anyanwu praised the House for demonstrating that it is people-oriented adding that since the House came on board it has kept faith with the people.
The Speaker, Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu pointed out that the House has made history by successfully repealing the law.
He reminded his colleagues of the relevance of certain sections of the repealed law stressing that in due course a new bill would be presented to address those issues which impact negatively on the human person in the state especially women and children.
Earlier, the House had passed a motion sponsored by member for Onuimo Hon. Rebertson Ekwebelem and co-sponsored by 11 others urging the Federal and State governments to set up a full borstal institution in the state.
The Chief Sponsor pointed out that the establishment of borstal institution in the state would lead to provision of employment to Imolites as well as save young offenders under the age of 21 who are remanded or committed to jail.
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Courtesy: Gele Agbai
