Enugu Govt to regulate unlicensed herbalists and traditional healers
By Yahaya Idris, Enugu, May 4th, 2025
The Enugu State Government, led
by Governor Peter Mbah, has transmitted an executive bill titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order” to the State House of Assembly to regulate the activities of unlicensed herbalists, native doctors, and traditional practitioners including Eze Nwanyis. The bill mandates that all persons practicing spiritual services—such as native doctors, herbalists, spiritualists, chief priests, diviners, seers, or those with similar traditional titles—must register with a designated state ministry or agency.
Practicing without registration attracts a fine between ₦1 million and ₦5 million, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. The legislation also criminalizes money rituals (Okite), bulletproof charms (Odeshi), and the use of forests or properties for criminal activities like banditry and kidnapping.
Administering charms or substances for protection to commit crimes or to acquire wealth through supernatural means outside lawful livelihood is punishable by up to six years imprisonment or a fine of at least ₦5 million, or both.
False claims of supernatural powers for personal gain may lead to three years imprisonment or a fine of at least ₦3 million.
The bill further requires private security outfits to register and submit information on armed personnel, and landlords to provide tenant information to authorities.
This move aims to curb rising cases of ritual killings, criminal activities linked to native doctors and spiritualists, and illegal forest encampments in Enugu State.
