Hon. Raymond Okey Ugwu, Chairman House Committee On Youth, Sports, And Security
The Enugu State House of Assembly will on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, hold a one-day public hearing on a proposed law aimed at strengthening internal security, vigilance, and public order across the state.
The hearing is scheduled to take place at the hallowed chamber of the Assembly and will begin at 12 noon.
Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE, Hon. Raymond Okey Ugwu, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth, Sports, and Security Matters, explained that the bill seeks to outlaw bulletproof charms, and ban practices such as okeite, odeshi, and other criminal rituals.
“The bill seeks to outlaw bulletproof charm, ban Okeite, Odeshi, and other criminal practices,” Hon. Ugwu stated.
DAILY GAZETTE recalls that Governor Peter Mbah had earlier submitted an Executive Bill to the State Assembly titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order”, as part of a bold strategy to tackle rising criminal activities linked to ritual practices and spiritual manipulation.
The proposed legislation seeks to regulate spiritual practices, ban the use of bulletproof charms (popularly called odeshi), prohibit ritual wealth-seeking practices (okeite), and criminalize the misuse of religious or forest spaces for activities such as kidnapping and ritual killings.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Section 3(1): Registration of Spiritual Practitioners
“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.”
Penalty for non-compliance:
₦1 million to ₦5 million fine,
Or two years’ imprisonment,
Or both
Section 15: Criminal Use of Spiritual Practices
“Any person who, under the guise of spiritual or traditional practice (including but not limited to practices commonly referred to as okite, ezenwanyi, or any other mystical or ritual form), administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person, for the purpose of:
(a) invincibility or protection to facilitate the commission of a criminal offence; or
(b) acquiring wealth or benefits by supernatural means outside any lawful livelihood,
commits an offence.”
Penalty:
Six (6) years’ imprisonment,
Or a fine of not less than ₦5 million,
Or both
Those who falsely claim supernatural powers for influence or financial gain will face:
“Imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or a fine of not less than three million naira (₦3,000,000), or both.”
In addition:
“The burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.”
Section 16: Criminal Use of Religious Premises
“Any person who uses or knowingly permits the use of a religious place to facilitate any criminal activity shall be liable to six (6) years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦5 million, or both.”
The affected facility will be sealed pending investigation.
Section 17: Ritual Killings
“Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts, or who causes another person to do so, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
Section 13: Criminal Operations in Forests and Camps
“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 criminal activity, shall be promptly handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for investigation.”
Landowners who knowingly allow their property, particularly forested areas, to be used for kidnapping, banditry, or unlawful detention will face:
“Twenty (20) years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.”
Those who host unauthorized individuals on their land (outside of legitimate farming) or fail to report suspicious use of their property will face:
Two (2) years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine
Sections 7–10: Property Forfeiture
“Any land, property, or structure used in contravention of Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this Law shall be forfeited to the Government of Enugu State.”
Additionally, proceeds from crimes such as kidnapping or robbery, including ransom money, will be forfeited to the state—unless lawfully claimed by the rightful owner within a reasonable period.
Regulation of Private Security and Community Responsibility
The bill also imposes obligations on private citizens and institutions:
Private security outfits must register with the government, providing details of personnel and operations.
Town union presidents-general must submit monthly security reports to local government authorities.
Landlords, hotel and guest house managers, and estate associations must collect and submit details, including name, phone number, occupation, and workplace, of tenants and guests to the relevant government department.
Hotels and lodging facilities are mandated to install surveillance cameras in public areas and provide footage to authorities upon request.
Penalties for non-compliance:
₦500,000 fine for landlords
₦1 million fine for hospitality operators
The bill, if passed, is expected to modernize Enugu State’s internal security framework, particularly in tackling ritual-based crimes, spiritual exploitation, and the use of unregulated spaces for violent and criminal activities.
The June 24 public hearing will allow civil society, religious groups, traditional institutions, and members of the public to contribute their views before the bill proceeds to further legislative stages.
