Ritual Killings: Enugu Moves Against Native Doctors, Spiritualists

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Following the discovery of the outrageous and dastardly escapades of controversial “native doctor” Levi Obieze, popular as Ezeani, the Enugu State Government on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, formally moved to combat the activities of self acclaimed spiritualists and herbalists in the state.

Governor Peter Mbah has  submitted a piece of legislation to the State Law Makers.

The Source reports that Ezeani, who is being accused of burying a couple of people, including a pregnant woman in a soak away pit inside his palatial mansion in Umumba Ndiagu  community, Ezeagu Local Council of Enugu State for ritual purposes, was arrested at the Gbaji border checkpoint along Badagry/Seme expressway by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Services while trying to escape into neighbouring Benin Republic.

Although he has since been  brought back to Enugu State by the police to face the consequences of his dastardly actions, the Enugu state Government said it has decided to have in place a legislative framework to curb the unregulated activities of spiritualists,traditionalists, herbalists and others in the State.

The Executive bill which was transmitted to the State House of Assembly on Wednesday by the Governor seeks to regulate and combat activities of native doctors, herbalists, and spiritualists, some of whom are strongly linked to ritual killings for money making ,fortification ,and other unwholesome purposes.

While the piece of legislation proposes a ban and criminalization of money ritual practices,( Okite), fortifications ( Odeshi) ,it also prohibits illegal forest encampments, and the use of properties for criminal purposes.

It criminalizes the use of properties ,forests ,and the unlawful use of both private and public properties for criminal activities.

“Any 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.

“Failure to register will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million ,or two-year jail term, or both.

“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 million) or both..

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 (3) years, or to a fine of not less than three million Naira ( N3 million) or both .

“The burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation ,to provide reasonable proof of the purported abilities claimed ” part of the bill reads .

Similarly ,the bill targets all those who use and permit the use of religious centres, and other private or public properties for the commission of crime.

All those found to be encamping in forests and bushes without reasonable explanation ,shall also be liable ,according to the bill.

Properties found to be used for unlawful activities including kidnappings ,illegal spiritual activities and otters, according to the bill, shall be demolished.