Abuja: The Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) has urged stricter regulation of religious activities linked to health practices to curb human rights abuses and medical negligence in worship and healing centres. Prof. Dakas Dakas, NLRC Chairman, made the call in Abuja at the 2025 National Medical and Health Law Conference, organised by the Institute of Medical and Health Law (IMHL).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Dakas, represented by Associate Prof. Okolocha Eugene, highlighted documented abuses in some healing houses, including denial of medical care, forced confinement, degrading treatment, and torture. He advocated for a rights-based, risk-focused, and technology-friendly regulatory system that respects freedom of belief while prioritising dignity, civics, and equal protection.
Dakas emphasized stronger oversight of centres with high abuse risk, such as overnight crusades, children’s facilities, and fee-charging centres. He recommended measures including registration and licensing procedures, setting minimum standards of care, and absolute prohibition of torture, forced confinement, and medical neglect.
Additional proposals included staff checks, first-aid and human rights training, child protection, annual licensing, and strict inspections. Dakas also stressed the importance of mandatory reporting of suspected abuse to relevant authorities and confidential complaint channels for victims.
He advocated for a multi-agency inspection system with unannounced checks and sanctions ranging from warnings to fines, licence suspensions, and criminal prosecution. Affirming NLRC’s commitment, Dakas stated that the commission would work with IMHL and stakeholders to implement reforms safeguarding dignity, health, and safety while upholding constitutional freedom of worship.
Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, IMHL Director-General, commented on Nigeria’s medico-legal evolution, highlighting the need for deeper regulation of religious centres, stronger accountability frameworks, and collaboration between law, medicine, ethics, and public health to protect human dignity and prevent medical negligence.
Conference organisers noted the increasing concern over religious centres blurring the lines between faith and medical responsibility, sometimes resulting in avoidable deaths and coercive exorcisms. Dr. Emeka Ayogu, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (FCT Chapter), called for collaboration between medical and legal professionals to address negligence and rights abuses.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 2025 conference marks the fifth edition since its inception in 2021, continuing to explore the intersection of faith, medicine, and law in protecting vulnerable populations.