Following recent crisis in the State, Ebonyi State House of Assembly has banned prophecies, crusades for spiritual cleansing and fishing out witches and wizards by some acclaimed prophets in the state.
The ban was sequel to the demolition of houses and destruction of valuable property belonging to John Ekpono in Agharaoza, Ndi-Ebo Ezzainyimagu, Izzi Local Government Area by youths, who acted on a prophecy by a prophet popularly known as Ubadinma, that the man and other individuals were responsible for the backwardness of some members of the community.
The member representing Izzi West state constituency, Abiri Gowin, who moved a motion on the matter during a plenary of the Assembly in Nkaliki, Abakaliki Local Government Area, said activities of some prophets have caused many problems in the community.
“Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, permit me to bring to the knowledge of this Honourable House, the highly disturbing incidence of serious threats to lives, destruction of property, looting and breakdown of law and order in my constituency, precisely at Agharaoza village, Ndi-Ebo Ezzainyimagu, in Izzi Local Government Area, occasioned by the prophecy/activities of the so called man of God, Prophet Ubadimma.
“The youths of Agharaoza village hired Prophet Ubadimma and his cohorts recently for a spiritual cleansing exercise to fish out witches and wizards in their village. He came and prophesied that Chief John Ekpono and others tied the destinies of the youths and that is why none of them is progressing except Ekpono and his children, who are the only rich people in the village.
“This prophecy infuriated the youths who went on rampage, destroyed Chief Ekpono’s houses, and that of his three wives, looted his property, including cash. The roads leading to the village were blocked and ditches dugged to prevent movement of people in and out of the village.
“However, the timely intervention of the Chairman of Izzi Local Government, Steve Nwankpa, saved the situation, as Chief Ekpono and all his family members were rescued, and are now taking refuge at Abakaliki town.
“Mr Speaker, if urgent steps are not taken to stop all those fake prophets of doom, who capitalise on the gullibility of our people to wreak havoc in our communities, their activities will desecrate the land and bring about total breakdown of law and order in Izzi clan and jeopardise the developmental strides of our dear Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, in the rural areas,” he stated
Supporting the motion, the Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro, expressed displeasure that properties of Chief Ekpono were destroyed and described Prophet Ubadimma as the actual witch and wizard in the community.
“We see the type of sad circumstances we found ourselves in 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.
“Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, Prophet Ubadimma is the actual witch and wizard, because I do not see where you go to claim that a man has tied the destinies of an entire community. It is a pity that this is happening in our time and land,” he said.
The member representing Ohaozara East State Constituency, Chikezie Igu, said what happened in the community was happening in other parts of the state.
“This kind of incident is happening in so many other constituencies, and at times, people turn their eyes away from such activities because they believe in spiritual things. These prophets operate in so many places in Ebonyi State, and their business is to cause problems rather than bring solutions. As a prophet of God, your business is to give solutions, but what they do is to create a crisis.
“This is why it is very pertinent that this one that has come to us must be addressed. The prophet should be brought to book. The youths that were involved should also be punished. Some of them have been arrested. More should also be arrested if they are still remaining, so that it will serve as a deterrent to others who will act without proper information.
“Some of our people are so gullible, and some of them are even agents. So, it is also our duty as legislators to look at our own constituencies, to fish out some of these prophets of doom because they are operating everywhere.”
Speaker of the House, Moses Ije Odunwa, expressed displeasure that such incidents were happening in the 21st century and described those that destroyed the property of Ekpono as part of the problems of the land
