The Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) has called for stricter regulation of religious activities linked to health practices to prevent human rights abuses and medical negligence in worship and healing centres.
Prof. Dakas Dakas, NLRC Chairman, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2025 National Medical and Health Law Conference, organised by the Institute of Medical and Health Law (IMHL). He was represented at the event by Associate Prof. Okolocha Eugene.
Dakas cited documented abuses in some healing houses, including denial of medical care, forced confinement, degrading treatment, and torture. He urged the creation of a rights-based, risk-focused, and technology-friendly regulatory system that respects freedom of belief while prioritizing dignity, civics, and equal protection.
He emphasized stronger oversight of centres with higher risks of abuse, such as overnight crusades, children’s facilities, and fee-charging centres.
“Recommended measures include registration and licensing procedures, minimum standards of care covering water, sanitation, food, safety, and staffing, and the absolute prohibition of torture, forced confinement, and medical neglect,” he said.
Dakas also proposed staff background checks, first-aid and human rights training, child protection measures, annual licensing, and strict inspections. He stressed mandatory reporting of suspected abuse to the police, the National Human Rights Commission, and social welfare agencies, alongside confidential complaint channels for victims.
He advocated 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 said the commission would collaborate with IMHL and stakeholders to implement reforms that safeguard dignity, health, and safety while upholding constitutional freedom of worship.
Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, IMHL Director-General, said Nigeria’s medico-legal evolution demands deeper regulation of religious centres, stronger accountability frameworks, better health governance in emergencies, and collaboration between law, medicine, ethics, and public health.
He added that IMHL aims to lead Africa in reforms protecting human dignity, preventing medical negligence, safeguarding worshipers, and enhancing ethical accountability across both sacred and secular spaces.
Conference organizers noted that while religious centres serve as community healing spaces, they increasingly blur the boundaries between faith and medical responsibility, sometimes resulting in avoidable deaths, forced confinement, and coercive exorcisms.
Dr. Emeka Ayogu, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (FCT chapter), said negligence and rights abuses must be addressed through stronger collaboration between medical and legal professionals. He urged practitioners to operate within their licensed mandates to prevent malpractice and protect patient rights.
It was reported that the 2025 conference is the fifth edition since its inception in 2021 and continues to explore the intersection of faith, medicine, and law in protecting vulnerable populations.
