Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, have sent an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly to checkmate criminal activities among native doctors, herbalists and related persons in the state.
According to PREMIUM TIMES NEWSPAPER, the Bill was transmitted on Tuesday evening.
Below is a brief details of the Bill
The Bill, entitled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,” seeks to outlaw money rituals, otherwise known as ‘Okite,’ and bulletproof charms, otherwise known as ‘Odeshi.’
Section 3 (1) of the proposed legislation outlaws the practice or rendering of spiritual services within the state by a native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer, or by any other traditional or spiritual title or designation without registration.
The proposed law mandates all native doctors and other spiritualists to register at a ministry, department or agency of the state which the governor will designate for the purpose.
“Practising without registration will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or a two-year imprisonment or both,” the proposed legislation said.
Any person, who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public into believing so, for the purpose of gaining reward, or influence whether financially or otherwise commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years or to a fine of not less than N3 million or both,” Section 15 of the proposed law stated.
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