In a sweeping legislative move aimed at curbing crime and unregulated spiritual practices, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. 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.
