Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has said
that the bill currently in the House of Assembly is
not for the legalisation of abortion.
Okorocha said this when he reacted to reports
that the state government had legalised abortion
in Owerri on Friday
He explained that the bill would eliminate violence
in private and public life, prohibit all forms of
violence, including sexual, psychological, domestic
and harmful traditional practices.
The governor said the bill was also expected to
provide maximum protection and effective
remedies for victims and punishments of
offenders.
Okorocha added that the bill would equally enable
every woman to enjoy reproductive rights as well
as the right to medical abortion in cases of
sexual assault, rape, incest.
He also said the bill made provision for right to
medical abortion where the pregnancy endangers
the life of or the physical, mental, psychological
or emotional health of the mother.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
the Speaker of assembly, Mr Benjamin
Uwajumogu, had also denied passing any law
legalising abortion in the state.
Uwajumogu decried the misunderstanding of the
bill, explaining that it was for prevention of
violence and protection of women's rights.
He said the bill, which made provision for the
termination of a foetus in cases of incest or rape,
did not legalise abortion.
The speaker said the house was set to make
amendments to the bill to avoid further
misunderstandings.
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