The Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025 (Agunechemba Law) contains specific provisions affecting religious leaders and religious institutions, particularly regarding their involvement in crime and supernatural activities. Below are the explicit sections that address religious leaders and their responsibilities:
1. Use of Religious Places for Crime (Section 19)
This section criminalizes the use of religious places for unlawful activities and gives the Governor the power to shut down any religious establishment involved in crime.
Key Provisions:
1.Crime by Religious Leaders – and Penalty:
“ANY person who uses any religious place for the commission or to aid the commission of any crime, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 19(1))
2.Sealing of Religious Places:
“ANY religious place suspected of being used to commit or aid the commission of any crime may be sealed by the order of the Governor pending the conclusion of investigation.” (Section 19(2))
3.Criminal Prosecution for Religious Leaders:
“If after the conclusion of investigation, there exists a prima facie case of the commission or aiding the commission of any crime in such place, any person found culpable shall be charged to court.” (Section 19(3))
4.Duration of Closure:
“Where a person is charged to court under this section, the property or place involved shall, where sealed, except unsealed by the order of the Governor, remain sealed until the determination of the charge or unless otherwise ordered by the court.” (Section 19(4))
Implications for Religious Leaders (of all and any religion):
~ Religious leaders must ensure their places of worship are not used for criminal activities.
~ The Governor can seal any church, mosque, or shrine suspected of harboring criminals.
~ If a religious leader is found guilty of aiding a crime, they face 6 years imprisonment or a ₦20 million fine.
2.Use of Supernatural Powers for Crime (Section 18)
This section criminalizes the use of supernatural powers, charms, or rituals for criminal purposes. Many traditional and spiritual leaders who perform supernatural rituals are affected by this provision.
Key Provisions:
1.Banning Rituals for Wealth or Crime:
“Any person who under the practice of ‘okite’ or ‘ezenwanyi’ or under any other guise, administers any substance or charm on or for any other person for the purpose of commission of any offence or for the purpose of accumulation of wealth by supernatural means other than by any known lawful means of livelihood or who publicly propagates the accumulation of such wealth other than by any known lawful means of livelihood, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 18(1))
2.Ban on Ritual Sacrifices in Public Places:
“Any person who performs any sacrifice or dumps on any road or throws into any water body in the State, any charms, substance or items of sacrifice in furtherance of the commission of any offence under sub-section (1) of this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 18(2))
3.Punishment for False Claims of Supernatural Powers:
“Any person who misleads the public by purporting to wield any supernatural powers which he is found not to possess or who obtains any reward from any person in furtherance thereof, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 18(3))
4.Proof of Supernatural Claims:
“For the purpose of ascertaining whether or not a person possesses the supernatural powers under sub-section (3) of this section, any such person suspected of misleading the public under sub-section (3) of this section shall at the stage of investigation, be subjected to proof that he possesses such powers.” (Section 18(4))
5.Investigation by Attorney General:
“An investigation made by the police in respect of any offence under this section shall be forwarded to the Attorney General of the State for review and advice before the prosecution of any person suspected of having committed the offence.” (Section 18(5))
Implications for Religious Leaders:
*Pastors, native doctors, and spiritualists who perform rituals for wealth or protection linked to crime could be prosecuted.*
False prophets or traditional priests claiming supernatural powers without proof risk 6 years imprisonment or a ₦20 million fine.
Public sacrifices, charms, and occult practices in roads or rivers are banned and criminalized.
3.Crimes Involving Human Rituals (Section 20)
This provision targets ritualists and human parts trading, affecting religious leaders involved in ritual sacrifices.
Key Provision:
“Any person who performs or requires of any person the performance of any rituals involving human parts, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.” (Section 20)
Implications for Religious Leaders:
Ritual killings and human sacrifices are now capital offences.
Any pastor, native doctor, or cultist involved in human rituals faces 25 years in prison.
4.Governor’s Oversight Powers Over Religious Leaders & Traditional Authorities (Section 12)
This section gives the Governor the power to dissolve town unions and remove local leaders, including traditional rulers and religious leaders, if they are linked to security threats.
Key Provision:
“Where there is a breakdown of law and order or likelihood of breakdown of law and order in any community, the Governor may for security reasons suspend the activities or operation of the leadership of the town union or bar the leadership of the town union from operating and shall appoint a Caretaker Committee for the community.” (Section 12(2)(a)-(b))
Implications for Religious & Traditional Leaders:
If a religious leader or traditional ruler is linked to a security crisis, the Governor can dissolve their leadership or appoint a caretaker committee.
Any person who continues to act as a leader after being barred faces a ₦20 million fine or 6 years in prison. (Section 12(5))
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
The Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025 imposes strict regulations on religious institutions, pastors, native doctors, and traditional leaders.
Key Takeaways for Religious Leaders in Ukpor:
1. Avoid using churches, mosques, or shrines for criminal activities to prevent closure and legal prosecution. (→ Section 19)
2. Do not engage in rituals, charms, or supernatural claims linked to crime or unexplained wealth. (→ Section 18)
3. Ritual sacrifices involving human parts attract a mandatory 25-year prison sentence. (→ Section 20)
4. If involved in security crises, religious leaders risk removal by the Governor. (→ Section 12)
Recommendations for Compliance:
Churches, mosques, and traditional temples in Ukpor should establish internal compliance measures.
Religious leaders should publicly denounce ritual killings, “money rituals,” and supernatural fraud.
Community leaders should report any suspected violations early to avoid state intervention.
Failure to adhere to these provisions could lead to arrests, heavy fines, long-term imprisonment or government takeover of religious institutions.
~ Obataofokachi