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ENUGU, Nigeria - Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has proposed an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly aimed at reducing criminal activities linked to native doctors, herbalists, and other similar practitioners.
The proposed law, titled ‘Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,’ prohibits money rituals, referred to as ‘okite,’ and bulletproof charms, known as ‘odeshi.’ It also criminalizes the unlawful use or occupation of forests and properties for illegal activities.
According to Section 3 (1), “Every individual providing spiritual services within the state, whether as a native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer, or through any other traditional or spiritual designation, must register with the designated ministry, department, or agency as appointed by the governor.”
Engaging in practice without registration will incur fines between N1 million and N5 million, or a sentence of up to two years in prison, or both.
Section 15 of the Bill states, “Any individual who, under the pretense of spiritual or traditional practice (including but not limited to practices known as ‘okite’, ‘ezenwanyi’, or any other mystical or ritual term), administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person, aimed at: (a) invincibility and other forms of protection to enable the commission of any criminal offense; or (b) obtaining wealth or benefits through supernatural means outside lawful avenues, is guilty of an offense and upon conviction faces up to six years imprisonment or a fine of at least N5 million, or both.”
Furthermore, the Bill states that “Anyone who falsely asserts supernatural abilities or deceives the public into believing they possess such powers, in order to gain rewards or influence (financially or otherwise), commits an offense and shall face three years of imprisonment or a fine of not less than N3 million, or both.”
The Bill also shifts the burden of proof to those claiming spiritual powers, requiring them to provide reasonable proof of such abilities during any investigation. According to Section 16, a six-year prison term, a fine of N5 million, or both is prescribed for anyone who uses, or permits the use of, any religious site for criminal activities, which will also be sealed pending investigations.
Section 17 specifies that “Anyone who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or takes part in any ritual or traditional practice involving human parts, or causes another person to do so, shall face a 20-year prison sentence without the possibility of a fine.”
Under Section 13, “Anyone discovered in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without lawful cause, under circumstances suggesting reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminal activity, must be promptly handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any appropriate security agency for lawful investigation.”
Concerning the use of forests and properties for kidnappings and banditry, the Bill asserts that “Any person who owns, occupies, or controls any land or building, whether in a forest or elsewhere, and knowingly allows it to be used as a camp, hideout, or base for kidnapping, unlawful detention, ransom collection, or any related activity, commits an offense and is subject to a 20-year prison term without the option of a fine.”
Additionally, the Bill requires landlords, hotel owners, and estate associations to gather and submit valid identification, contact numbers, jobs, and workplace details of their tenants and guests to the relevant authorities.
Hotels and lodging establishments must also install surveillance cameras in public areas and provide recorded activities to the appropriate officials.
Fines for non-compliance range from N500,000 for landlords to N1 million for hotel owners.
