ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has transmitted an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly aimed at curbing the abuse of spiritual practices, rising criminal activities, and unlawful occupation of forests in the state.
Titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,” the proposed legislation seeks to outlaw money rituals locally known as ‘okite’ as well as criminal bulletproof charms popularly referred to as ‘odeshi’. It also targets illicit activities among native doctors, spiritualists, herbalists, and other related practitioners by mandating state registration and regulatory oversight.
According to Section 3 (1) of the bill: “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.”
Failure to comply with this registration requirement will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Section 15 of the bill further criminalizes spiritual practices used for unlawful gain or aiding crimes: “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:
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(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 N5 million, or both.”
The bill also tackles spiritual fraud.
According to the bill, “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 N3 million, or both.”
The legislation adds that anyone making such claims will bear the burden of proof during investigations: “The burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.”
In a move to protect religious sanctuaries from being turned into criminal havens, Section 16 prescribes six years’ imprisonment or a N5 million fine or both for anyone who uses or knowingly permits a religious space to be used for crimes. Such facilities will be sealed pending investigation.
The Bill takes an especially tough stance on ritual killings. Section 17 states: “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.”
On security in forested areas, Section 13 addresses suspicious occupancy: “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.”
The proposed law also seeks to hold landowners accountable.
It states: “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 or the unlawful detention of victims” would be liable under the law.