Anambra West Bans Masquerade Road Blockades, Requires Permits for Cultural Processions

By Olisemeka Sony

The Anambra West Local Government Council has enacted a bye-law regulating masquerade and cultural festival activities, prohibiting the obstruction of public roads and requiring organisers of cultural processions on public roads to obtain official permits.

The Anambra West Local Government Masquerade and Cultural Festival Regulation and Control Bye-Law 2026 was passed by the Congress of Councillors and assented to by the Mayor of Anambra West Local Government, Hon. Mrs Ndivé Edith Nkeiru, on September 22, 2026.

Sponsored by Hon. Okonkwo Ndubuisi Odili, councillor representing Umuoba Anam Ward and Majority Leader of the Congress of Councillors, the bye-law seeks to regulate traditional and cultural activities while protecting public safety, freedom of movement and the rights of residents and visitors.

The legislation recognises masquerade and cultural festivals as an important part of Anambra West’s cultural heritage but requires them to be conducted in accordance with public order, safety and respect for individual rights.

It specifically identifies road obstruction, harassment and disruption of free movement during cultural activities as matters requiring regulation.

Seven-day permit requirement

Under the bye-law, no masquerade procession or cultural parade may take place on a public road without a written permit from the local government council.

Organisers must apply at least seven days before the proposed event. The council may approve an application subject to conditions, restrict the time or route of a procession, or refuse an application where it considers the activity a public-safety risk.

The bye-law expressly prohibits the blocking or barricading of major roads, restricting vehicular or pedestrian movement, and establishing unlawful checkpoints in the name of cultural activities.

Such conduct is classified as a public nuisance and unlawful obstruction.

Masquerades restricted to approved cultural zones

The legislation directs that masquerade performances be restricted to village squares, community arenas and designated festival grounds approved by the council.

The council is also required to publish and periodically update a list of approved cultural zones.

Traditional rulers, Presidents-General, youth leaders and festival organisers are assigned responsibility for ensuring compliance, maintaining order during events and preventing the harassment or intimidation of members of the public.

Failure to discharge these responsibilities is described in the bye-law as dereliction of community responsibility.

Protection of residents’ rights

The bye-law prohibits the unlawful detention or delay of people, forcing individuals to participate in or observe cultural practices, and harassment or assault carried out under the guise of masquerade activities.

Violators may face penalties under the bye-law as well as any other applicable law.

To oversee implementation, the legislation establishes a Masquerade and Festival Regulation Committee comprising the Divisional Police Officer or a representative, a representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the head of local vigilante services, two representatives from each community, including a traditional ruler or representative, and a representative of the local government.

The Mayor may also appoint other security personnel or relevant stakeholders to the committee.

The committee is responsible for monitoring masquerade and cultural festival activities, issuing permits, ensuring events do not obstruct roads or impede movement, enforcing the bye-law and working with security agencies to maintain public order and safety.

Offenders face fines and possible imprisonment

The bye-law empowers the committee to disperse unlawful masquerade gatherings and festival processions, facilitate the arrest of violators in collaboration with security agencies, impose prescribed penalties, confiscate materials used in offences, and suspend or revoke permits where conditions are breached.

Council officers and security agencies may also disperse unlawful gatherings and remove obstructions. The legislation provides for the use of reasonable force where necessary if individuals refuse to comply.

A person convicted of obstructing a public road may be fined up to ₦100,000, ordered to perform community service, sentenced to up to two months’ imprisonment, or receive both the fine and imprisonment.

Organisers or community leaders who authorise or condone such obstruction may be fined ₦200,000.

Anyone who intimidates, assaults or unlawfully restricts another person’s movement may face a fine of up to ₦100,000, imprisonment of up to two months, or both.

Where an offence is committed by a group or community, the council may impose collective sanctions, including suspending approval for future festivals.

Individuals or communities responsible for damage to public or private infrastructure, or for injuries resulting from an offence, are also required to bear the cost of repairs or other resulting expenses in addition to any prescribed penalties.

Sponsor welcomes enactment

Reacting to the enactment, Hon. Okonkwo Ndubuisi Odili expressed satisfaction with the signing of the bye-law, describing it as a significant development for the local government area.

Odili said the legislation would help maintain peace and order during festivals in Anambra West, including communities in both the Anam and Igala areas.

He urged community leaders to sensitise youths on the need to avoid violence and road obstruction during festivals and cultural celebrations.

“Community leaders in Anambra West should sensitise and educate their youths to shun violence during festivals and cultural celebrations and also to avoid obstructing movement during celebrations,” he said.

“They must be told in plain language that we now have a bye-law that can punish offenders when such offences are committed, unlike before. So, everybody should work together to ensure peace and harmony during such festivities.”