Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has forwarded an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly to curb criminal activities among native doctors, herbalists, and similar practitioners in the state.

The proposed legislation, ‘Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,’ prohibits money rituals, known as ‘okite’, and bulletproof charms, commonly called ‘odeshi’. It also criminalises the illegal use or occupation of forests and properties for unlawful activities.

According to 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 of the state as may be designated by the governor for that purpose.”

Practising without registration will attract a fine ranging from N1 million to N5 million or two years of imprisonment, or both.

Section 15 of the Bill provides that “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 years or to a fine of not less than N5 million, or both.”

Furthermore, the section stipulates that “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 years or to a fine of not less than N3 million, or both.”

The Bill places the burden of proof on anyone claiming spiritual powers, requiring them to provide reasonable evidence of such abilities during an investigation.

Section 16 prescribes a penalty of six years of imprisonment, a fine of N5 million, or both for anyone who uses or knowingly permits using any religious place for criminal activities. The facility will also be sealed pending the outcome of the investigation.

Section 17 stipulates, “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 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.”

Regarding the use of forests and properties for kidnapping and banditry, the Bill 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, 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 20 years without the option of a fine.”

The Bill also mandates landlords, hotel proprietors, and estate associations to collect and submit valid identification, phone numbers, occupations, and places of work of their tenants and guests to the relevant authorities.

Hotels and lodging facilities are required to install surveillance cameras in public areas and submit recorded activities to the appropriate authorities. Penalties for non-compliance include fines of at least N500,000 for landlords and N1 million for hotel proprietors.