Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has forwarded an executive bill to the State House of Assembly designed to regulate native doctors, herbalists, and related practitioners while strengthening internal security.
Titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance, and Order,” the proposed legislation targets money rituals, criminal bulletproof charms, and the illegal use of forests for unlawful activities.
The bill mandates that all spiritual practitioners—including native doctors, herbalists, spiritualists, chief priests, diviners, and seers—register with a designated state ministry. “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,” states Section 3(1). Unregistered practitioners face fines between ₦1 million and ₦5 million, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.
The bill also cracks down on fraudulent spiritual claims and criminal practices. “Any person who, under the guise of spiritual or traditional practice—including, but not limited to, practices commonly referred to as okite, ezenwanyi, or any other mystical or ritual name or form—administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person for the purpose of: (a) achieving invincibility or other forms of protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence; or (b) acquiring wealth or benefits through supernatural means outside any lawful source 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 ₦5 million, or both,” Section 15 stipulates. False claims of supernatural powers carry a three-year jail term or a ₦3 million fine.
The legislation imposes severe penalties for ritualistic crimes. “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts—or 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,” Section 17 declares. Religious facilities used for criminal activities will be sealed during investigations, with offenders facing six years’ imprisonment or a ₦5 million fine.
To enhance security, the bill requires private security firms to register with the state and disclose armed personnel details. Town union presidents-general must submit monthly security reports to local government chairmen. Landlords, hoteliers, and estate managers must collect and submit tenant and guest identification details, with non-compliance fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million. Hospitality businesses must install surveillance cameras in public areas and provide footage to authorities upon request.
The bill also addresses illegal forest activities. “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to suspicion of involvement in criminal activity, shall be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation,” Section 13 states. Property owners permitting criminal hideouts face 20-year imprisonment without parole, while failure to report suspicious land use incurs a two-year jail term.
Additionally, properties used for crimes like kidnapping or banditry will be forfeited to the state. Proceeds from theft, robbery, or ransom will also be confiscated unless claimed lawfully within a specified period.
