Anambra Assembly Approves Bill to Establish State Correctional Service

The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to establish the Anambra State Correctional Service. The executive bill, approved during Thursday’s plenary session in Awka, is expected to strengthen justice delivery and improve the management of offenders in the state.

Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze, praised lawmakers for their detailed review of the proposal before its passage, noting that once Governor Charles Soludo assents to the bill, citizens would benefit from quicker dispensation of justice.

Majority Leader Ikenna Ofordeme, representing Ekwusigo Constituency, explained that the legislation would regulate the state’s correctional service, ensuring humane and effective administration of offenders through both custodial and non-custodial measures. Supporting the bill, Noble Igwe of Ogbaru 1 Constituency added that the law would not only fast-track justice but also help curb rising crime rates across Anambra.

Reacting to the development, Josephine Onah, Project Coordinator of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme in Anambra, described the passage of the bill as a “striking mark of legislation.” She commended the lawmakers for prioritizing the safety and progress of the people and said RoLAC would support the law’s effective implementation once it comes into force.

Onah further noted that the governor’s assent would guide RoLAC’s work plan for 2026, underscoring the significance of the bill to justice reform in Anambra State.