The Nigeria Law Reform Commission (NLRC) has issued a powerful call for the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks to shield Nigerians from medical negligence in healthcare facilities and harmful practices within religious centres.
Alarming Trends in Religious and Medical Settings
This urgent appeal was made at the 2025 National Medical and Health Law Conference, organized by the Institute of Medical and Health Law (IMHL). The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Dakas Dakas, voiced deep concern over the disturbing trend of human rights violations occurring in some religious and worship centres across the nation.
Represented by Associate Prof. Eugene Okolocha, Prof. Dakas pointed to numerous reports in recent years that have exposed severe cases of abuse. He specifically highlighted incidents of chaining, torture, and deprivation disguised as part of certain rehabilitation protocols. These findings underscore the critical need for a rights-protective, risk-based regulatory system that carefully balances the constitutional freedom of religion with public safety and accountability.
A Call for a New Regulatory Framework
Prof. Dakas acknowledged the vital role that religious centres play in providing spiritual guidance and psychological support. However, he stressed that there is currently a dangerous void when it comes to their registration, minimum operational standards, oversight, and effective mechanisms for reporting abuse, forced confinement, and the endangerment of children.
He emphasized that while many of these harmful practices are already criminalized under existing Nigerian laws, perpetrators often justify them under the guise of religious belief. "Freedom of religion and worship is constitutionally protected, but it is not absolute," Dakas stated, referencing Section 45 of the Nigerian Constitution, which permits reasonable regulation in the interest of public order, health, and the rights of others.
The proposed regulatory framework includes several key components:
- Mandatory registration and licensing of all centres operating as organized congregational units.
- The introduction of an annual license to operate under religious or health authorities.
- Implementation of technology-friendly reporting systems to enable easier inspections and ensure accountability.
- A mandatory duty to report suspected abuses to the National Human Rights Commission, police, and social welfare services.
- Risk-based regulations that prioritize civic responsibility, human dignity, and equal protection for all.
Uniting Law and Medicine for Justice
Echoing the gravity of the situation, the convener of the conference and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Abuja, Prof. AwakweAbugu, warned that medical negligence should no longer be overlooked. He called for a closer collaboration between legal and medical professionals to fortify patient rights and improve service delivery in the health sector.
Earlier at the event, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Prof. Innocent Odili, observed that while religious spaces are meant to foster community and spiritual equality, they have, in some cases, become sites of coercion, denial of care, false confinement, and abuse. These actions, he noted, severely challenge public trust and undermine fundamental human dignity.
The conference concluded with a unified call for a comprehensive regulatory framework. This framework would address the complex intersection of human rights, religious practices, medical ethics, and governance in Nigeria's culturally plural society. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all Nigerians can seek justice and receive safe care, whether in a hospital or a place of worship.
