…Native doctors, herbalists to be registered or face stiff penalties; forest settlements, ritual killings, and ‘bulletproof’ charms outlawed
Enugu State is on course for a major crackdown on ritual killings, criminal use of charms, and illicit spiritual practices as Governor Peter Mbah has forwarded a far-reaching Executive Bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at tackling internal security threats.
Titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order”, the proposed law targets the dark underbelly of criminality masked under traditional and spiritual practices.
Among other sweeping provisions, it bans money rituals (popularly known as ‘okite’) and ‘odeshi’, a form of bulletproof charm often associated with armed robbery and cultism.
The bill mandates compulsory registration of all spiritual practitioners in the state — including native doctors, herbalists, spiritualists, chief priests, and seers.
Any individual found operating outside this framework will risk a fine ranging from ₦1 million to ₦5 million, or a two-year jail term, or both.
The bill takes a hardline stance on ritual-related crimes.
Section 15 of the bill stipulates a six-year jail term or ₦5 million fine for anyone who administers charms or mystical substances to confer invincibility or to unlawfully acquire wealth.
Even those falsely claiming supernatural powers for personal gain face three years in jail or a ₦3 million fine.
Further deepening the accountability net, the proposed law flips the burden of proof: those claiming supernatural powers must demonstrate their authenticity during investigations.
Places of worship are not exempt. Any religious facility found aiding or facilitating crimes faces sealing and investigation, while those involved will face up to six years in prison or a ₦5 million fine.
The bill also criminalizes the use of human parts in rituals, setting a harsh penalty of 20 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for offenders — one of the toughest stances yet against ritual killings in any Nigerian state.
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In its broader security agenda, the bill targets criminal activity in forests and abandoned structures. Anyone found occupying a forest or bush without lawful reason — or who enables banditry or kidnapping through the use of such property — faces up to 20 years behind bars without the option of a fine.
Similarly, landlords and landowners who knowingly permit the use of their property for illegal settlements, hideouts, or criminal activities will be held accountable.
The law imposes two-year prison sentences without option of fine for failure to report suspicious activity on their property.
The state also reserves the right to forfeit any land, property, or funds linked to kidnapping, banditry, or other crimes to the government — unless a lawful owner makes a verifiable claim within a reasonable timeframe.
To bolster security monitoring, the bill imposes strict duties on private security outfits, town union leaders, landlords, and hotel operators. Hotels and guest houses must install CCTV cameras and submit guest records to the relevant authorities.
Landlords are required to gather and report valid IDs and occupational details of tenants. Penalties for breaches range from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million.
Governor Mbah’s proposed legislation comes amid increasing concern over the influence of ritual practices and criminal spirituality in the rise of violent crimes, kidnappings, and social unrest in parts of the southeast.
If passed, the bill will mark a major shift in how the state addresses the intersection of traditional beliefs, spiritual practices, and security, ushering in a regulated and tightly monitored era for spiritual practitioners and land users in Enugu State.