Enugu State Declares War on Money Rituals and Fake Native Doctors After Ezeani Scandal
In a bold and unprecedented move, the Enugu State Government has introduced a sweeping legislative bill to fight the alarming rise in ritual killings and fake spiritual practices following the shocking case of Onyeka Obu, popularly known as Ezeani. The traditional healer was accused of heinous crimes, including burying victims—among them a pregnant woman—alive as part of gruesome money ritual practices.
The horrifying incident sparked public outrage across Nigeria and drew attention to the dangerous intersection of spiritual exploitation and criminal activity. Determined to restore law, order, and public confidence, Governor Peter Mbah took swift action.
On Wednesday, June 4, Governor Mbah transmitted an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order.” This landmark legislation aims to regulate spiritual practices in the state, outlaw ritual-related crimes, and bring accountability to a largely unregulated sector.
What the New Law Seeks to Achieve
The bill is comprehensive and addresses the heart of what many Nigerians have long feared: the unchecked and dangerous use of spiritual power for criminal purposes.
“The bill seeks to outlaw practices like money rituals (popularly known as okite), criminal bulletproof charms (odeshi), and the misuse of spiritual authority for unlawful gains,” the government stated.
For years, money rituals—referred to as okite in Igbo culture—have been glamorized in Nollywood movies and even normalized in some communities. These practices often involve grave human rights violations, including the use of human body parts, and sometimes, the taking of innocent lives in the belief that such acts can bring wealth and protection.
In particular, the government is targeting:
-
Money rituals (okite)
-
The creation and use of bulletproof charms (odeshi)
-
Ritual killings
-
The use of spiritual power to commit or aid crimes
-
Unlawful detainment or abuse under the guise of spiritual healing
Mandatory Registration of Native Doctors and Spiritual Practitioners
Perhaps the most groundbreaking part of the bill is the mandatory registration of all native doctors, herbalists, ezenwanyi (female spiritualists), and other traditional spiritual practitioners with a designated state agency. This means that anyone operating in this field must be officially recognized by the government.
Those who fail to register will face:
-
A fine ranging from N1 million to N5 million
-
Up to two years in prison
-
Or both fine and jail time
This step is designed not only to regulate the industry but also to ensure that quack spiritualists like Ezeani can no longer operate in secrecy.
This clause is expected to affect thousands of spiritual practitioners operating across Enugu State, and may set a precedent for other Nigerian states to follow.
Heavy Penalties for Using Charms or Rituals for Crime or Wealth
Another major highlight of the bill is the stiff penalties prescribed for those who use charms or spiritual rituals to aid criminal activity or acquire wealth through supernatural means.
Under the new legislation:
-
Anyone caught using rituals or charms to commit a crime or gain wealth will face up to six years in prison
-
Or a N5 million fine
-
Or both
This provision aims to tackle the belief system that encourages desperate individuals to engage in ritual killings and other criminal acts for money or power. It places the focus squarely on intent, and closes the legal loophole that has allowed many perpetrators to escape justice by claiming religious or cultural protection.
In a powerful clause, the bill also places the burden of proof on anyone who claims to possess supernatural powers in the course of an investigation. This is a critical legal strategy designed to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable, particularly in cases where confessions are made under duress or spiritual influence.
Criminalising Ritual Killings in Religious or Spiritual Sites
The law goes even further to deal with the darker side of spiritual practices in Nigeria. It criminalizes the use of religious or spiritual sites—including shrines, churches, and prayer houses—for any ritual killings, kidnappings, or criminal activities.
Under the new bill:
-
Anyone convicted of using a spiritual site for ritual killings, kidnappings, or related crimes will face up to 20 years in prison without the option of a fine
-
In addition, any property used in the commission of these crimes will be confiscated by the state
This provision sends a strong message to those who hide under the cover of religion to perpetrate evil. It also ensures that spiritual sites will no longer be safe havens for criminal operations.
Public Reactions and Cultural Implications
The legislation has received mixed reactions from various quarters. While many civil rights groups and law-abiding citizens have praised the bill as a necessary step to cleanse the state of criminal spirituality, some traditional leaders and native doctors have expressed concerns about the bill being used to suppress indigenous practices.
However, Governor Mbah’s administration insists that the bill is not an attack on culture, but rather a clampdown on the abuse of cultural and spiritual traditions for crime.
“This is not a war against our traditions or culture. It is a war against evil, against criminality, against using people’s lives for wealth. No true native doctor will oppose this law if they are not hiding something,” said a senior official in the state government who chose to remain anonymous.
Why This Matters: The Fight Against Ritual Killings in Nigeria
Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing trend of ritual killings over the past decade. Young people, in particular, have been influenced by false promises of quick wealth, turning to native doctors and online ritualists who offer "instant money" solutions. This dangerous belief system has led to a surge in kidnappings, human sacrifices, and other forms of violence.
The Ezeani case in Enugu State is just one example of how deep the rot has gone. According to local sources, the native doctor allegedly buried a pregnant woman and other victims alive in his shrine to perform rituals for his clients. These crimes shocked the nation and reignited calls for serious legislation to end ritual-based violence.
By addressing this menace head-on, Enugu State has become the first in recent history to legally regulate the spiritual industry and criminalize its exploitation for money-making schemes.
What’s Next?
With the Executive Bill now before the Enugu State House of Assembly, stakeholders are calling for its swift passage and immediate enforcement. The hope is that other Nigerian states will take a cue from Enugu and enact similar laws to protect citizens from the growing threat of ritual-related crimes.
Law enforcement agencies are also expected to receive new powers under the bill to:
-
Investigate spiritual crimes thoroughly
-
Arrest and prosecute offenders without fear of spiritual backlash
-
Confiscate properties linked to such crimes
If passed into law, this bill could become a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against ritual killings, setting a new legal and moral standard for how spiritual authority is used in society.
Final Thoughts
The Enugu State Government’s move to regulate spiritual practices and outlaw ritual killings is a bold and commendable step in the right direction. It reflects a growing awareness among Nigerian leaders that the intersection of poverty, belief, and crime must be addressed not just with prayers, but with laws.
By tackling the misuse of spiritual power, Governor Peter Mbah is not only protecting lives but also restoring the sanctity of traditional and religious practices that have long been exploited by criminals.
As Nigeria watches this development unfold, one thing is clear: the era of ritual impunity is coming to an end.
