Abia State Governor, Alex Otti says his administration balances justice with rehabilitation, disclosing that a pregnant woman, involved in pensions funds fraud case in Abia, was temporarily released to deliver her baby safely.
Otti stated this on Saturday while recieving Hon Chinedu Ogah and members of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, who paid him a visit in his office.
He praised the intervention of Abia First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti for securing a temporary release for the heavily pregnant woman, explaining that following the pregnant inmate’s release from Correctional Centre, she was taken to a hospital where she delivered her baby safely.
The Governor informed the Reformatory Committee that he had since instructed the Attorney General of Abia State to advocate a variation of the woman’s bail conditions to facilitate her legal release, saying that his administration is compassionate and at the same time, firm.
“We must be compassionate and firm. While serious offenders must be kept from endangering society, minor offenders who have been corrected deserve a chance at rehabilitation and reintegration,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti, who lauded the House Committee members for demonstrating commitment to their oversight functions despite limited resources, emphasised that true leadership often required sacrifice, even as he promised to remain steadfast in his resolve to rebuild Abia as inspired by the legacies of visionary leaders such as Michael Okpara, Sam Mbakwe, Jaja Wachuku, Akanu Ibiam, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, and Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Ogah commended Governor Otti for his infrastructural strides and for installing water, solar electricity and reinforcement in Correctional Centres.
He noted that Abia is the only State in the South East with a 3,000-capacity Correctional Centre located in Uzuakoli, but urged the Governor to look into the road leading to the Centre.