By Jude Atupulazi
If there is one thing I will eternally be thankful to Gov Chukwuma Soludo for doing, it is his brutal clampdown on criminal elements masquerading variously as men of God, native doctors and yahoo-yahoo. While the first two are currently being hounded and facing the music, the last group, yahoo-yahoo, are still somewhat walking the streets, with many still flaunting their trademark dreadlocks, oversized dresses and sagging trousers.
Although the Anambra State Government had directed that such people be stopped and searched by the police and other security agencies, the initial enthusiasm appears to have subsided.
Indeed, many would argue that it is against the fundamental human rights of these people to be subjected to such indignity but their actions have however become such that drastic measures have to be taken.
Together with native doctors and emergency men of God, these yahoo-yahoo people have torn the fabric of society with their evil and deceptive ways, to the extent that they are being regarded by the younger elements, as role models. This could be dangerous. When kids grow up being fascinated by the crooked ways of con men there is always a problem.
Before now, the social media space was inundated with pictures of such native doctors as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki and his ilk. They boldly proclaimed their trade and flaunted their wealth. The native doctors among them gave the impression that they were superhuman; that anyone who patronized them would not only become rich overnight but invincible; yet, when kidnappers came calling, Akwa Okuko could neither defend himself, nor save one of his security men who was gunned down and Akwa Okuko whisked away. He had to pay ransom before he was allowed to return. That singular event exposed his emptiness.
Little wonder that when they were arrested by Soludo he taunted them to disappear from custody to convince him of their genuineness as native doctors. Till date none of them has escaped or vanished from custody. But these were the same people who managed to portray themselves as gods among men and the gullible population believed them hook, line and sinker.
As for the yahoo boys, these are young men who are averse to honest work. All it takes is for them to get a computer set and use it to scam people; while the yahoo-plus are those involved in ritual killings. There is really a thin line between the two as anyone bold enough to scam another of their life’s earnings can easily transform to taking life to make money.
They are known by their set ways but are still eulogized in certain quarters. Some will tell you that yahoo boys are harmless, as they only fool white people, but such people forget the harm they have done to society by their belief in quick, easy money.
Today, while the native doctors have gone silent, the yahoo boys and co are still active. The government should therefore, clampdown on them the same way as the native doctors were clamped down upon. These people are surplus to requirements in any sane society. They should be given no breathing space.
Every young man should go and learn a trade or skill if they don’t get employment. There is no excuse for scamming people in any guise. It is because they are eulogized that they keep multiplying by the day. It is now customary for one to be described as ”onye na atu afia”; meaning someone that deceives foreigners into either parting with their money or being outrightly scammed.
The recent horror discovery in Enugu State of a compound where one rich and famous man buried people alive should be enough reason why Government should not spare these idiots. This man who was involved in the Enugu horror show is known to spray money at events.
A picture was even posted in which people I describe as fortune hunters went to present him with an award. To such shameless people, an award to anyone is determined by how much the person can pay.
I am happy that Soludo has started the fight against them in Anambra and it seems to be spreading to other states. The other time I read about the Edo State Governor signing a bill into law to have the homes of kidnappers demolished. Recently too I read about the move by the Enugu State Government to go all out against these evil elements. It warmed my heart.
To sign off, let me share with you the news emanating from Enugu State.
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BREAKING… In new Bill, Enugu Govt moves against illicit ‘spiritualists’, bandits, kidnappers
…to outlaw money rituals, ‘okite’, criminal bulletproof charms
…native doctors, ‘ezenwanyi’, herbalists, others to be registered and regulated
Governor Peter Mbah has transmitted an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly to checkmate criminal activities among native doctors, herbalists and related persons in the state.
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.”
Practicing without registration will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or two-year imprisonment or both.
Section 15 of the proposed legislation provides, “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 (N5,000,000), 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.”
It further provides that where a person claims spiritual powers under this law, “the burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.”
In the same vein, Section 16 prescribes six years of imprisonment or a fine of N5 million or both against anyone, who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious place, for the commission or facilitation of a crime, in addition to sealing of the facility, pending the outcome of investigation.
Section 17 stipulates that “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts, or who causes another person to do so, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
Under Section 13, “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion of involvement in any criminal activity, shall be promptly handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation in accordance with the law.”
On the use of forests and property for banditry and kidnapping, the Bill proposes, “Any person who owns, occupies, or has control over any land or building, whether located in a forest or elsewhere, and knowingly allows it to be used as a camp, hideout, or base for kidnapping, the unlawful detention of victims, the collection of ransom, or for any other activity connected to kidnapping or banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
Also, any person, who knowingly allows any person, who is not a member of the nation’s security agencies to reside, camp, or establish any form of settlement on his or her land, except for farming, is liable on conviction to two-years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Any person who knowingly fails to report suspicious use of their property, and fails to report the same to the security agencies “commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of two (2) years without the option of a fine.”
“Subject to the provisions of Section 3 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law 2016, any land, property, or structure used in contravention of Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this Law shall be forfeited to the Government of Enugu State,” the Bill further provides.
Again, money, property, and other proceeds of theft, robbery, kidnapping, among others are to be forfeited to the Enugu State Government, unless a lawful and verifiable owner claims it within a reasonable time.
The Bill equally makes it mandatory for private security outfits to register with the State Government, providing the particulars of the outfit and all armed security operatives employed or deployed by them, while all Presidents-General of town unions are to submit security reports to local government council chairmen or any other department designated by the government not later than the first week of every new month.
In the same vein, landlords and proprietors of hotels, guest houses, and estate associations are demanded by the Bill to obtain and transmit valid means of identification, phone number, occupation, and place of work of their prospective tenants and guests to the relevant authority.
Proprietors of hotels and other lodging facilities shall install a surveillance camera within public areas to record and submit records of activities to relevant authorities.
Penalties for contravention of this provision range from a fine of not less than N500,000 for landlords to N1 million.
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The vibes emanating from Enugu State are good and I urge other state governments to follow suit. Our society must be rid of these vermin.
