BREAKING: Enugu Govt Moves to Criminalize Money Rituals, Regulate Native Doctors, ‘Ezenwanyi’, Herbalists, in Landmark Security Bill

In a sweeping legislative move aimed at curbing crime and unregulated spiritual practices, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has transmitted an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly. The bill, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,” seeks to combat illicit activities among native doctors, herbalists, and spiritualists, while also targeting ritual practices, illegal forest encampments, and property misuse for criminal operations.

The bill proposes a ban on money rituals, commonly referred to as ‘okite’, and criminal bulletproof charms, known locally as ‘odeshi’. It also prohibits the unlawful occupation or use of forests and private properties for kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal purposes.

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 register would attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million, or a two-year jail term, or both.

Section 15 addresses ritual practices used to commit crimes or gain wealth supernaturally:

“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 a term of six (6) years or to a fine of not less than five million naira (N5,000,000), or both.”

It further criminalizes false claims of supernatural powers, stating:

“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.”

The bill shifts the burden of proof to the claimant during investigation:

“The burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.”

Section 16 prescribes six years’ imprisonment or a fine of N5 million—or both—for anyone who uses or permits the use of any religious place to facilitate crime, with such facilities to be sealed pending investigation.

Section 17 imposes a stiff penalty:

“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.”

The bill also targets those found in forests or illegal camps without lawful purpose. Section 13 states:

“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 property used for banditry or kidnapping, the bill warns:

“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.”

Additionally, failure to report illegal land use or suspicious activities could result in a two-year jail sentence without the option of a fine.

The bill mandates that:

“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.”

Proceeds of criminal activity—such as money, vehicles, and property—are also to be forfeited to the government unless claimed by a lawful owner.

The legislation introduces additional control measures requiring private security outfits to register with the state and submit details of their operatives. Town union presidents-general must now file monthly security reports to local councils or designated state departments.

Landlords, hotel operators, and estate associations are also required to obtain and transmit verifiable identification, contact details, and occupation of tenants or guests to authorities. Surveillance cameras must be installed in public areas of lodging facilities, with recordings made available to security agencies.

Penalties for non-compliance include fines ranging from N500,000 for landlords to N1 million for hotel owners.