The Imo state government has repealed the controversial section 40 sub-section 1 of its violence against persons’ prohibition law, as it was bombarded with criticisms.

The law states that women have rights to abortion in case of incest and rape.

While signing the papers that will effect the total repeal of the law, the Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha said the decision was due to public outcry that greeted the law especially from religious leaders and traditional rulers.

The Imo state of Nigeria initially claimed that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP)law number 12 of 2012 which was signed may 2012, is aimed at eliminating violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence, discrimination against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.

A protest and total rejection of the law by clergies, traditional rulers and some medical practitioners in the state followed the implementation as they described the law outrightly legalises abortion in the state.

For a long while since the protest, the relationship between the Imo state government and religious leaders in the state have not been a robust one due to the prohibition law that was enacted by the Imo State House of Assembly and signed by the Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha hence the reason for repealing the law.