Peter Mbah Transmits Bill To Regulate Native Doctors, Bans Ritual Practices In Enugu

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has transmitted a new bill to the State House of Assembly that aims to regulate traditional spiritual practices and crack down on ritual killings, criminal charms, and illegal use of forests.

The bill, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order”, proposes strict rules for spiritual practitioners like native doctors, herbalists, and seers.

It also targets ritual acts such as ‘okite’ (rituals for wealth) and ‘odeshi’ (charms believed to make people bulletproof or invisible to harm).

Under the proposed law, anyone offering spiritual services must register with a designated state agency.

Failure to register could lead to a fine between ₦1 million and ₦5 million, a two-year jail term, or both.

The bill also seeks to ban the use of rituals for criminal protection or to gain wealth through supernatural means. Offenders may face up to six years in prison or pay a ₦5 million fine—or both.

People who falsely claim to have supernatural powers to influence or deceive others for money or favors could face a three-year jail term or a fine of ₦3 million.

Another part of the bill gives authorities the power to investigate anyone claiming to have spiritual powers, and those claims must be proven during such investigations.

Anyone found using a religious space to aid or commit crimes could face up to six years in prison or a ₦5 million fine. The place used would also be shut down during the investigation.

If a person performs rituals involving human body parts, the punishment is even more severe: 20 years in prison with no option of a fine.

The law also targets people occupying forests or private property for suspicious reasons. Anyone found in such locations without a clear purpose could be handed over to security agencies.

Using forests or buildings for kidnapping or ransom collection could result in a 20-year jail sentence. Landowners who allow such activities—or fail to report them—could face up to two years in prison.

Any property used in connection with kidnapping, robbery, or banditry would be seized by the state. Any unclaimed proceeds from such crimes would also be taken over by the government.

The bill also places new responsibilities on private security companies, landlords, hotel operators, and town union leaders.

• Security outfits must register with the state and submit names of armed personnel.

• Town union presidents must provide monthly reports to their local government.

• Landlords, hotel owners, and estate managers are required to collect ID and contact information from all tenants and guests, and report it to the state.

• Hotels must install security cameras and share footage with law enforcement when requested.

Landlords who don’t comply could be fined at least ₦500,000, while hotel owners could face fines of up to ₦1 million.

This comes after Obi Obieze, a native doctor from Enugu known as Ezeani, who was arrested over allegations of kidnapping and ritual killings.