Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has transmitted an executive bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at regulating the activities of native doctors, herbalists, and related practitioners across the state
The proposed legislation, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance, and Order,” seeks to outlaw money rituals, criminal bulletproof charms, and the unlawful use or occupation of forests and properties for criminal activities.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the media office of the governor, the bill also mandates private security outfits to register with the state government and provide particulars of armed security operatives.
Landlords and proprietors of hotels and guest houses must obtain and submit valid identification details, phone numbers, occupations, and places of work of tenants and guests to the relevant authorities.
The bill prescribes penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment.
Specifically, Section 3(1) of the proposed bill states: “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.”
Practising without registration attracts a fine of not less than ₦1 million and not more than ₦5 million, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
The bill further states that anyone who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public for personal gain or influence commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years or a fine of not less than ₦3 million, or both.
It also provides that anyone claiming spiritual powers must provide reasonable proof of such abilities during investigation.
In a similar vein, Section 16 prescribes six years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦5 million, or both, for anyone who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious facility for the commission or facilitation of a crime. Such facilities will be sealed pending the outcome of investigations.
Under Section 13, “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to suspicion of involvement in criminal activity, shall be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation.”
Regarding the use of forests and property for criminal purposes, the bill proposes: “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, unlawful detention, ransom collection, or any activity connected to banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to twenty (20) years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.”
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