Enugu seeks to outlaw money rituals, criminal bulletproof charms in Enugu, as Gov Mbah presents bill to state assembly
Gov Mbah
The act of preparing charms for money rituals and native bulletproof for members of the public by herbalists will soon be outlawed in Enugu state.
This follows Governor Peter Mbah’s transmission of an executive bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at regulating the activities of native doctors, herbalists, and related practitioners across the state, Wednesday.
The proposed legislation, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance, and Order,” seeks to outlaw money rituals, criminal bulletproof charms, and the unlawful use or occupation of forests and properties for criminal activities.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the media office of the governor, the bill also mandates private security outfits to register with the state government and provide particulars of armed security operatives.
The bill also mandates private security outfits to register with the state government and provide details of all armed personnel. Additionally, presidents-general of town unions are required to submit regular security reports to local government chairmen.
Landlords and proprietors of hotels and guest houses must obtain and submit valid identification details, phone numbers, occupations, and places of work of tenants and guests to the relevant authorities.
The bill prescribes penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment.
Specifically, Section 3(1) of the proposed bill states: “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 attracts a fine of not less than ₦1 million and not more than ₦5 million, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Section 15 provides that: “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.”
The bill further states that anyone who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public for personal gain or influence commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years or a fine of not less than ₦3 million, or both.
It also provides that anyone claiming spiritual powers must provide reasonable proof of such abilities during investigation.
In a similar vein, Section 16 prescribes six years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦5 million, or both, for anyone who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious facility for the commission or facilitation of a crime. Such facilities will be sealed pending the outcome of investigations.
