Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State has submitted a bill to regulate native doctors and outlaw practices like money rituals and ‘odeshi’ charms, aiming to tackle banditry and kidnapping in the state
Enugu State’s Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah last week submitted a landmark bill to the state House of Assembly, seeking to regulate the activities of native doctors and spiritualists.
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This decisive move aims to tackle the alarming rise in banditry and kidnapping that has plagued the Coal City.
The activities of some native doctors, herbalists, seers, and spiritualists have reached a concerning peak across the country, particularly in Nigeria’s Eastern region.
In Enugu State, Governor Mbah has observed that practitioners, including female ‘Ezenwanyi’, are causing significant harm to residents.
Concurrently, kidnapping and banditry, often perpetrated by criminal Fulani herdsmen and their local accomplices, have become increasingly atrocious. However, Governor Mbah is now robustly addressing these challenges.
The Enugu helmsman was notably spurred into action by the alleged discovery of the nefarious activities of a certain native doctor named Ezeani, operating in the Ezeagu axis of the state.
Ezeani was reportedly deeply involved in ritual murder, a shocking revelation that has provoked widespread outrage among natives and residents.
In direct response, Governor Mbah moved last week to introduce legislation to confront this escalating wave of criminality.
This astute move follows a similar initiative by his neighbour and counterpart, Professor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State.
Professor Soludo had sought to curtail the activities of criminal native doctors in Anambra, driven by the conviction that they were rapidly becoming a public nuisance.
His bill aimed to regulate their practices and restore sanity to what was once a revered traditional practice.
Many observers are in agreement with Governors Soludo and Mbah that the actions of unscrupulous native doctors have become detrimental.
They argue that the optics of these activities are eroding the youth’s capacity for engaging in genuine endeavours that could lead to honest wealth.
There is a palpable sadness that many young people are now fixated on quick, often inexplicable, means to acquire money.
There is a prevalent belief that if the current craze among both young and older people remains unchecked, it could stifle the spirit of hard work for which the people of the Southeast are traditionally renowned.
It has been particularly noted that many youths have begun shunning the globally acclaimed wealth multiplication scheme known as “Igba Odibo or Igba Boi.”
Furthermore, this new focus on illicit gains is believed to be causing a spike in ritual murders, leading to the unsettling phenomenon of people disappearing without a trace, often killed for money rituals.
Governor Mbah’s proposed bill, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,” will, among other things, outlaw money rituals, commonly known as ‘Okite’, and criminal bulletproof charms, or ‘Odeshi.’
Once enacted in Enugu State, illicit spiritualists will either have to comply with the spirit of the legislation or seek to ply their trade elsewhere, as their current activities will be criminalised.
The bill also prescribes various fines and jail terms for offenders. However, native doctors who are genuine in their intent and purposes will be required to submit to regulation by the state government.
Specifically, Section 15 of the bill stipulates: “Any person who, under the guise of spiritual or traditional practice (including but not limited to the practices commonly referred to as ‘okite’, ‘ezenwanyi’, or any other mystical or ritual name/form) administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person, for the purpose of:
(a) invincibility and other forms of protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence; or (b) acquiring wealth or benefits by supernatural means outside any lawful means of livelihood, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six (6) years or to a fine of not less than five million naira (N5,000,000), or both.”
Section 3 (1) of the bill further provides: “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 will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or two-year imprisonment or both.”
The bill also outlaws the illegal use or occupation of forests and private property for criminal activities, warning that those involved will be held accountable.
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 reasonable suspicion of involvement in any criminal activity, shall be promptly handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation in accordance with the law.”
It further adds: “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, the unlawful detention of victims, the collection of ransom, or for any other activity connected to kidnapping or banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
The bill also criminalises individuals who, through their conduct, contribute to contravening the law, ensuring they too will face punishment.
Private security operators in the state will be duly registered, and communities will be required to submit reports on their security activities. Money, property, and other proceeds of theft, robbery, and kidnapping will be forfeited to the Enugu State Government.
Landlords and proprietors of hotels, guest houses, and estate associations are also mandated to cooperate with relevant authorities in securing their areas.
Thus far, Governor Mbah has received widespread commendation for taking a proactive stance against the tide of criminality now afflicting his state.
Some analysts are optimistic about the success of Governor Mbah’s initiative and urge him not only to increase but also to sustain the momentum of his efforts for maximum impact.
They specifically call on the governor to confront the audacity of the so-called criminal Fulani herders operating with impunity, particularly in Eha Amufu, Uzo Uwani, and other parts of the state, with the full might of the government.
Amidst the applause, however, some individuals have also drawn the attention of the governor and other elected officials to the systemic rot that has become Nigeria’s predicament.
This, they claim, is relentlessly pushing many youths into crime. Those holding this view are resolute that past and present governments have been ruinous in their conduct and rhetoric, providing little tangible support that would have encouraged young people to build a solid future for themselves.
A segment of the populace contends that both the government and society have set poor examples for the youth through obscene displays of suspected ill-gotten wealth.
Such displays, some people emphasise, send damaging signals that hard work no longer holds its rightful place in society, particularly when young graduates struggle to find employment.
Having identified a significant existential threat facing the people of Enugu State, Governor Mbah must therefore rise to the occasion and practically lead the war against these ills on all fronts, moving beyond mere rhetoric.
He will undoubtedly be taken far more seriously if he does so.