The Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Onah, is currently facing backlash over his alleged clampdown on native doctors, herbalists, and traditional worshippers in the Mgbo community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that Hon. Onah ordered the arrest of at least 19 individuals associated with traditional healing practices during a meeting with the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism at Centenary City, Abakaliki, on March 18, 2025. Those arrested, including 16 women and 3 men, were allegedly accused of plotting a protest against the lawmaker.
According to the State Chairman of the National Union of Herbal Medicine Practitioners, Ndubuisi Nwogha, the tension began on December 22, 2024, when an entertainment masquerade was attacked at Okwo Mgbo Market by a combined team of police and soldiers reportedly acting on the instructions of the Deputy Speaker.
Nwogha lamented the arrests and the burning of shrines and herbalist homes in the area, insisting that the detained individuals are licensed practitioners who operate within the bounds of the law. He urged higher authorities to investigate the matter and hold the lawmaker accountable to prevent further unrest.
“If the Deputy Speaker believes our members are violating the law, he should present evidence rather than resort to harassment and humiliation,” Nwogha stated.
One of the detained herbalists, who chose to remain anonymous, alleged that detainees were tortured and publicly embarrassed, with one person’s dreadlocks allegedly cut off using a broken bottle, all under the supervision of political authorities.
Another practitioner, Mrs. Chinwe Onwe, emphasized that traditional healing has been part of her family’s heritage for generations. She recounted her journey from Christianity to accepting her ancestral calling and appealed to the government for protection and recognition of their practice.
Also commenting on the issue, Monsignor Marypatrick Mmuo, a Catholic priest of the Abakaliki Diocese and a proponent of preserving indigenous culture, condemned the treatment of the practitioners. He warned that disregarding cultural heritage could invite ancestral consequences and urged leaders to adopt more inclusive governance that respects traditional beliefs.
Efforts to obtain a response from Hon. Onah were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls or text messages.
Meanwhile, sources confirm that the 19 detained individuals have since been released from police custody.
Stay updated with Ebonyi News Network for real-time reports, in-depth analysis, and exclusive coverage of policies shaping Ebonyi State.
