Imo Lawmakers repeal controversial abortion Law

The 26-member Imo State House of Assembly, on Thursday bowed to public opinion as it has repealed the Imo State Law number 12 of 2012. Also, the law number 6 of 2005 concerning basic education, was repealed by the lawmakers.

The Speaker of the assembly, Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu, after listening to the contributions from the various speakers at the plenary, started by the member representing Orsu Constituency, Stan Dara, announced that the two laws stood repealed, while a fresh bill that would accommodate shades of opinion on the bill would be presented to the assembly for fresh consideration, debates and other procedure for a bill becoming law would follow.

The Guardian gathered that the law had been tagged 'abortion law' by some groups and individuals in the state because of the section 40 (1) (i) of the law which had empowered legally pregnant women to carry abortion of their unborn children in the case of rape, incest among others.

The Catholic community in the state, led by the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastic Province, Dr. Anthony Obinna, urged both the legislature and executive arms of government to repeal the law.

On that premise, the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, sent a draft bill of amendment on it.