Residents of Enugu have lauded the recent executive bill transmitted to the state house of assembly by Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah, to checkmate criminal activities among native doctors, herbalists, bandits and kidnappers in the state as well as to outlaw money rituals.
Most of the residents, who spoke to our correspondent in an exclusive interview described the bill as a wonderful idea that when passed into law, will nip illegal activities of some native doctors in the bud.
They said the bill when passed into law, will redirect the activities of some youths who have concluded that hard work is not needed for anyone to make money.
A resident of Obiioma street in Achara Layout, Enugu, Mr Ignatius Ndukwe said the bill will also contribute alot in the fight against insecurity.
“ Let me tell you, that bill came at the right time because some of these native doctors are not genuine at all but they pretend to heal everything, some of them even make charms for criminals and kidnappers” he stated.
A resident of Lagos Street, Mrs Nkeiruka Obi said the bill was one of the best things that has happened in the state, saying that most of the native doctors deceive people especially the youths to believe in money rituals.
“ When the bill is passed into law, a lot of all these fake native doctors will be exposed and the genuine ones will practice what they know how best to do’ she stated.
Others who spoke to our correspondent encouraged the house of assembly to pass the bill into law without any delay , saying that it was a step in the right direction.
It will be recalled that the proposed legislation entitled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order”, also outlaws money rituals otherwise known as ‘okite’, criminal bulletproof charms, otherwise known as ‘odeshi.’
It equally outlaws illegal use or occupation of forests and property for criminal activities.
By the provisions of Section 3 (1), “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.”
Practising without registration will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or two years ‘ imprisonment 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 (N3,000,000), or both.”
The residents therefore urged the house to pass the bill into law immediately.
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