David Akachukwu
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Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has submitted an Executive Bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at curbing criminal behavior among traditional healers, herbalists, and similar practitioners within the state.
The bill, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,” seeks to ban money rituals, commonly referred to as ‘okite,’ as well as criminal bulletproof charms known locally as ‘odeshi.’
Additionally, the legislation prohibits the unlawful use or occupation of forests and properties for illicit purposes.
By the provisions of Section 3 (1), “Every person, who engages in the practice or rendering of spiritual services within the state, whether as a native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer, or by any other traditional or spiritual title or designation, shall be registered with the ministry, department or agency (MDA) of the state as may be designated by the Governor for that purpose.”
Practising without registration will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or two-year imprisonment or both.
Section 15 of the proposed legislation provides, “Any person who, under the guise of spiritual or traditional practice (including but not limited to the practices commonly referred to as ‘okite’, ‘ezenwanyi’, or any other mystical or ritual name/form) administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person, for the purpose of: (a) invincibility and other forms of protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence; or (b) acquiring wealth or benefits by supernatural means outside any lawful means of livelihood, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six (6) years or to a fine of not less than five million naira (N5,000,000), or both.
“Any person, who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public into believing so, for the purpose of gaining reward, or influence (whether financially or otherwise) commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or to a fine of not less than three million naira (N3,000,000), or both.”
It further provides that where a person claims spiritual powers under this law, “the burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.”
Similarly, Section 16 mandates a penalty of six years’ imprisonment, a fine of ₦5 million, or both, for anyone who uses or allows their religious facility to be used in committing or aiding a crime. The provision also includes sealing the premises until investigations are concluded.
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Section 17 stipulates that “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts, or who causes another person to do so, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
Under Section 13, “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion of involvement in any criminal activity, shall be promptly handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation in accordance with the law.”
On the use of forests and property for banditry and kidnapping, the Bill proposes, “Any person who owns, occupies, or has control over any land or building, whether located in a forest or elsewhere, and knowingly allows it to be used as a camp, hideout, or base for kidnapping, the unlawful detention of victims, the collection of ransom, or for any other activity connected to kidnapping or banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
Also, any person, who knowingly allows any person, who is not a member of the nation’s security agencies to reside, camp, or establish any form of settlement on his or her land, except for farming, is liable on conviction to two-year imprisonment without an option of fine.
Any person who knowingly fails to report suspicious use of their property, and fails to report the same to the security agencies “commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of two (2) years without the option of a fine.”
“Subject to the provisions of Section 3 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law 2016, any land, property, or structure used in contravention of Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this Law shall be forfeited to the Government of Enugu State,” the Bill further provides.
Additionally, any money, property, or other assets obtained through theft, robbery, kidnapping, or related crimes will be confiscated by the Enugu State Government, unless a legitimate and verifiable owner claims them within a reasonable timeframe.
The Bill also requires all private security companies to register with the State Government, submitting detailed information about their organization and every armed personnel they employ or deploy. Furthermore, presidents-general of town unions are mandated to provide monthly security reports to local government chairpersons or other designated government departments, with deadlines set for the first week of each month.
Similarly, landlords, hotel owners, guest house operators, and estate associations must collect and submit valid identification, phone numbers, occupations, and workplaces of their prospective tenants or guests to the appropriate authorities.
Owners of hotels and other lodging establishments are also obligated to install surveillance cameras in public areas to monitor activities, and they must regularly share recorded footage with the relevant government bodies.
Violations of these rules carry penalties ranging from a minimum fine of ₦500,000 for landlords up to ₦1 million for other property owners.
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