The Ebonyi State House of Assembly (EBHA) on Wednesday adopted a motion banning the practice of exorcism under religious guise by ‘men of God’ in Izzi Land in Ebonyi.
Exorcism is the act of spiritual cleansing and driving away evil spirits and witchcraft from a person or object.
The motion was sponsored as a matter of urgent public attention by Mr Godwin Abiri, representing Izzi West State Constituency in the Ebonyi House of Assembly.
Highlighting the motion, he said that exorcism had become a highly disturbing incident in his constituency and Izzi land in general.
“Mr Speaker, colleagues, permit me to bring to the knowledge of this honourable house, the highly disturbing incidence of threats to lives, destruction of property, looting and causing breakdown of law and order in my constituency.
“The crisis at Agharaoza village, Ndi-Ebo Ezzainyimagu, in Izzi Local Government, allegedly occasioned by the prophecy/activities of the so-called man of God, Prophet Ubadimma (real name not known).
“The youths of Agharaoza village, according to a reliable source, allegedly hired one prophet Ubadimma and his cohorts recently for spiritual cleansing to fish out witches and wizards in their village.
“He came and prophesied that one Chief John Ekpono and others tied the destinies of the youths of the village, which was the reason nobody was progressing while Ekpono and his children were the only rich people in the village.
“This prophecy ignited unimaginable tension, as youths of the village went on the rampage, destroying Ekpono’s houses, and that of his three wives, and looted all his property including cash.
Abiri said that roads leading to the village were blocked, and ditches were dug, to prevent the movement of people, in and out of the village.
The lawmaker, however, said that the timely intervention of the Chairman of Izzi Local Government Area, Mr Steve Nwankpa, saved the situation, as Ekpono and all his family members were rescued.
He disclosed that all the members of the family were now taking refuge at Abakaliki and youths suspected to be involved in the crisis were arrested.
“Ubadimma and his accomplis fled to an unknown destination,” Abiri said.
Abiri said that fake prophets had taken advantage of the gullibility of people to desecrate the land, thereby jeopardising the developmental strides of Gov. Francis Nwifuru in the rural communities.
He added that such barbaric incidents had been a sad occurrence in so many communities in Izzi and other areas of the state and implored his colleagues to support the motion.
“Mr Speaker and colleagues, if urgent steps are not taken to stop all those fake prophets of doom who capitalise on the gullibility of our people to wreck havoc in our communities, their activities will desecrate the land.
“Mr Speaker from the foregoing, I rise to move a motion that fake prophets like Ubadimma, his cohorts and their activities including prophecy be banned henceforth throughout the three local government areas of Izzi land.
“That any village or community, which may wish to engage the activity of any pastor henceforth must get the approval from the LGA chairman, the Development Center Coordinator, the President of the town union, and the document duly signed by the village head and the stakeholders.
” I further urge my honourable colleagues to throw their weights behind this all-important motion to enthrone peace and harmony in our rural areas. I so move.”
Mr Kingsley Ikoro, the Leader of the house, supported the motion and expressed displeasure, that the property of Chief Ekpono was vandalised.
He described Prophet Ubadimma as the real wizard in the community and enjoined the security agencies to do the needful, by arresting the perpetrators.
“Mr Speaker and my colleagues, we see the type of sad circumstances we found ourselves because I do not see where a man who is in the village, who does nothing as a youth, who wakes up in the morning and does not go to work claims that his destinies are tied.
“Who tied your destiny when you do not work? You cannot give what you don’t have.
“You will not earn if you don’t work. I am totally in line with this motion, although sad, because a man’s wealth; and buildings have all been destroyed.
” Mr Speaker, colleagues, the Prophet Ubadimma is the actual witch and wizard all joining together because I do not see where you go to claim that the entire community, that a man has tied their destinies.
” It is very sad. I will say that the security should do the needful by fishing out the perpetrators of this criminal act and make sure that they rebuild and restore the wealth and property they destroyed.”
Mr Moses Odunwa, Speaker of the House, put the motion to voice vote and members overwhelmingly voted in support.
