By Correspondent in Enugu.
…Governor Mbah Sends Executive Bill Targeting Criminal Activities of Native Doctors, Bandits, Kidnappers
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has transmitted an Executive Bill to the State House of Assembly seeking to curb criminal activities linked to certain traditional and spiritual practices, as well as clamp down on banditry, kidnapping, and illegal forest settlements.
The proposed legislation, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order”, aims to outlaw money rituals,commonly called okite,and bulletproof charms, known locally as odeshi.
It also seeks to regulate spiritual practitioners and criminal use of forests and private property.
Under Section 3(1) of the Bill, all individuals engaged in spiritual services,whether as native doctors, herbalists, spiritualists, diviners, or priests,must register with a government-designated body. Failure to do so will attract fines ranging from N1 million to N5 million, or up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.
The Bill proposes stiff penalties against ritualists and spiritual impostors:
Section 15: Anyone administering charms or substances for supernatural protection to aid crime, or for wealth acquisition by illegal mystical means, faces six years’ imprisonment or a fine of N5 million, or both.
Anyone who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers for personal gain faces three years in prison or a fine of N3 million, or both. Such a person must also prove their claims during investigations.
Section 16: Use of any religious place for criminal activities attracts six years’ imprisonment or a fine of N5 million, and temporary sealing of the premises.
Section 17: Participation in rituals involving human parts will attract 20 years’ imprisonment without option of fine.
To combat banditry and kidnapping, the Bill targets forest camps and criminal hideouts:
Section 13: Any individual found in a forest or bush without lawful reason may be handed over to the police for investigation.
Any property owner who knowingly allows their premises to be used for kidnapping or criminal activities faces 20 years in prison without an option of fine.
Harboring non-security personnel on private land, except for farming, attracts two years’ imprisonment.
Failure to report suspicious use of property is punishable by two years’ imprisonment without fine.
The Bill also mandates the forfeiture of any property, land, or proceeds derived from theft, robbery, or kidnapping to the state, unless a lawful owner makes a valid claim within a reasonable time.
Additional provisions include:
Mandatory registration of private security outfits, with full details of armed operatives.
Town union presidents must submit monthly security reports to local authorities.
Landlords, estate managers, hotel and guest house proprietors must collect and transmit verified identification, contact details, and occupation of prospective tenants and guests to relevant authorities.
Lodging facilities must install surveillance cameras in public areas and provide footage to authorities on request. Non-compliance attracts fines ranging from N500,000 (landlords) to N1 million (hotels).
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
