—Natural healers who treat mentally-ill persons
THE house where Lateef Folami, otherwise known in the neighborhood as Owo Omo Ajona, kept his patients has no permanent address. It was a derelict edifice, originally built of mud but later coated with cement. On the outside, it was difficult to determine the real occupants of the house as there was nothing to distinguish it from the other houses in the community.
In this part of Orile- Ifo, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, everything came to a standstill by mid-day this particular day; even the wind appeared to stop for a moment. The only evidence of life was the bleating of the goats and the happy voices of the children engaged in studious pursuit five houses away, violating the suffocating silence in the neighborhood.
Inside Folami’s house, two solitary figures laid on a mat in the short, dimly lit corridor. It was a four-room bungalow; three of the rooms were shut, while the door of the last was slightly ajar. A peep through the door revealed a figure lying on a mat, fast asleep.
Folami entered the house through the back door. The evidence of recent sanitation was obvious as the house smelt of heavy use of antiseptic. The floor was clean and one could not find a trace of dirt on it. Clean and neatly arranged cooking utensils were stalked at one corner while brooms and dusters stood facing it. As he climbed the short stairs, he yelled at one of the sleeping figures identified as Femi to bring a stool.
Welcome to the world of Folami, one of the most prominent herbalists with special skills in curing those plagued by insanity. As a high ranking member of the local mental health doctors in Ogun State, he has a sparkling reputation and long experience behind him. But Folami is not your regular herbalist, he is a practising Muslim who is also well versed in Christian doctrines and has perfected the use of herbs and leaves to treat just one form of sickness: lunacy.
He is also a retired soldier with number 63NA209286 and had seen action during the Nigerian civil war where he served at various times under Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo. Folami’s services to his father land came at a price too.
“Look here, this is a bullet wound and on my leg too. I didn’t know I wouldn’t die at the front but because God has ordained me to do a great work for Him, He kept me alive,” Folami said, removing his shirt to reveal a deep and ugly gash on his neck and leg.
Femi came out of the house and placed a long bench on the ground. He is a lanky fellow, fair in complexion with a pleasant, almost beautiful face. He wore a dirty black shirt and brown trousers. But despite the poverty of his clothes, his skin appeared clean and his nails were cut and neat. He dusted the bench with his right hand and as he made to leave, Folami called him back and interrogated him.
“Do you know this man?” He asked pointing to the reporter.
A small cloud crept into Femi’s face as he struggled with his memory. After about 40 seconds, he replied in the negative.
“You have not seen him before?” Folami persisted.
“No,” Femi maintained.
“Is he a man or a woman?” Folami asked again.
“He is a man,” Femi said and he was dismissed. A smile of contentment crept into Folami’s face as he watched Femi lay on the floor again in the semi darkness of the corridor. The other figure did not stir.
Femi has been at the Folami herbal home for eight months. According to the healer, he was brought by his family after he suddenly went mad one afternoon. For about a year, he was taken to many specialist hospitals, a situation which exhausted the fortunes of his family. Eventually, he was brought to Folami, “stark, raving mad.”
But after just eight months of being subjected to Folami’s special concoctions, Femi has shown remarkable improvements and he now acts as the ‘captain’ of the other patients and sometimes as Folami’s personal assistant.
Femi told The Nation that he used to live in Ayobo Ipaja area in Lagos and had attended a federal secondary school. He, however, does not remember the circumstances that brought him to the home but regarded Folami as a father and protector.
Presently, there are eight patients under Folami’s care; 14 others were discharged in August after being certified fit and proper by Folami. Five of the current patients were not in when The Nation visited as they had gone out to beg for alms. This is one disturbing aspect of Folami’s work: using his patients to beg for alms. All over the city and even in Lagos, some of his patients could be seen led by a guardian roaming the streets to beg. Most of the time, the patients maintained a stoic silence, while the guardian solicited on their behalf.
But Folami defended his methods. “I have very little help and I am not using my patients to enrich myself. Those who go out to beg have been abandoned by their families and that is the only way I can feed them. Also, I ensure they are well enough before they venture outside and they always have one of my assistants to lead them. They are not a threat to the public in any way,” he said.
Treating insanity
The secrets of the cure for insanity had been passed down from Folami’s grandfather who taught him the art in 1954. When he left the army in 1978, he went to France and resided there for seven years, but was constantly troubled in a vision to return home to practise the art of his grandfather. Eventually in 1995, he began by chasing mad people on the streets and forcefully taking them in for treatment. After curing them, he would take them out to the street to beg for alms.
Using this method, he chased patients all over Nigeria and even to Benin Republic, after which he decided to settle in Ifo, Ogun State.
Folami uses pure herbs to treat his patients. He claims he has a special way of using everyday leaf in determining the cause of the madness. The cure for insanity caused by drugs or other natural causes, according to him, is different from those caused by terrestrial powers, but leaves and herbs are primary ingredients in the cure.
“I use only herbs for them; I source the leaves around here, I use nothing diabolical. When they come, there is a particular herb I use that would make them sleep for three days. When I treat them for six months, they will be well but I will monitor them for another three months to control their temper so they can re-adjust to the society,” he said.
Femi was summoned to bring a keg of herbs. On opening it, a strong smell of gin erupted. Folami took a glass and poured a small quantity, which he offered to the reporter but was politely declined. Then he drank the portion and acknowledged its powers by a strong squeeze of his face. Femi smiled.
“This is what they drink every morning after we have finished ‘morning devotion.’ Then they can start their daily chores. They sweep, wash their clothes, fetch water and cook. In six months, they are well enough, cured of insanity. The orthodox hospital just suppressed the illness, I cure it completely,” he boasted.
Folami has varied clients. He claimed to have cured many politicians and other important members of the society. One of his former patients, he said, was a former school principal; another was a church leader. Some of his patients are now married and some have relocated to other parts of the country unable to face the shame of their past illness. The Nation called two of them now residents of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and they all claimed to be well and doing well in their businesses.
Folami’s neighbours in the community look upon him favourably despite the nature of his business. According to Chief I. Bamigbose, the community has no problems with Folami or his line of business.
“We don’t have any problem with him since he has been here. Everything is fine, you won’t even hear a sound from this house, and they are very peaceful.”
Inside Ifo’s mental home
Inside the house at 38, Cooker Road, Ifo, Chief Ibukun Sokunbi was in conference with two of his trusted aides. He is a tall man who kept a bushy beard and round moustache. The house itself was built of mud and had a long corridor which opened up at the end into an open space.
Another house was built at the end of the open space. This is where Sokunbi has his office and attended to his visitors. Outside the house, a proud sign read: “Ibukun Olu Herbal Home.” Shokunbi greeted the reporter and brought out a bottle of snuff and a half empty bottle of shinnaps, which he offered to his visitor. He politely declined it on the excuse that he was fasting.
Shokunbi is a new entrant into the world of mental healing having spent only about four years in the trade. But his clientele ranges from high profile members of the society to business men.
There were two patients in the clinic when The Nation visited. One was referred to as ‘FM’ and the other Lekan. According to Sokunbi, ‘FM’ was a university graduate who ran mad after a spell was cast on him but has since been showing signs of improvement, while Lekan’s case could be traced to drug abuse. Shokunbi was confident of his skills and he asked the reporter to interview them.
‘FM’ was a rather pleasant fellow and except for the chain on his legs, he could pass for a school teacher. He had a flask of food in his hand and begged for money to buy food.
“I think we have met before, around Badagry area?” ‘FM’ said and extended a hand which was soft and cold. When the reporter replied in the negative, he persisted.
“We have met before, where do you live?”
“I live in Ikeja,” the reporter replied and ‘FM’s face brightened as he declared: “Yes, I remember now, we met at the computer village, how is the computer village now? It’s a long time I went there.”
‘FM’ spoke with such conviction and sincerity that the reporter began to imagine he had met him before. But when he replied again in the negative, ‘FM’ appeared confused for a moment, then asked where the reporter was working before asking for money to buy breakfast.
“I am fine, I am fine, nothing is wrong with me, things are okay,” ‘FM’ said without any prodding.
Lekan sat in the ante-room of Shokunbi’s office. The room had no window and a section of the roof had caved in. He had a big chain on his legs which was tied to a big stone beside him. Two big padlocks completed the shackles on his feet. He was a young man, about 20 years old, with the ruby face of a youth. When asked why he was packlocked so securely, Shokunbi said he had attempted to run away a week earlier.
During cross examination by Shokunbi and the reporter, Lekan said he was a rewire when he was suddenly taken from his house and brought to the home. But Shokunbi told a different story. He said the patient was involved in drugs which had affected his sanity and he was given to violent reactions. His family had taken him all over orthodox hospitals before finally ending with him. Shokunbi claimed Lekan has shown remarkable improvements since he began his treatments using special herbal preparations.
Lekan remained rooted in his seat during the 10-minute interview. He expressed hope that he would be able to go home as soon as he was well enough. He said he was appreciative to Shokunbi for his treatment.
Meanwhile, ‘FM’ had seated himself, still clutching the food flask; Shokunbi put a hand on his shoulders and asked how he was feeling. When he replied that he had not had his breakfast, someone gave him N100 and asked if he recognised the money. “Yes this is Obafemi Awolowo; this is N100,” he replied.
Big dream, little hope
“My vision is to build a mental home where we can have a clinic and rehabilitation home for those who have been cured. We will have a farm where we can rear animals for sale during festival times and plant what we will eat. That home will be self-sustaining and those who want will be able to work with the local government as cleaners and clerks before they return to the home after work.”
Folami was caught up with sharing his vision which, compared to his present circumstances, looked bleak. With little or no fund and clients’ inability to pay big money for his services, the future which he has dreamt of may just remain a dream. “There was a land we got for N1.8 million but couldn’t raise the money. I have written to many people to support this vision but got no response, but I will not give up,” he said.
There are immediate challenges facing Folami and Shokunbi mental homes. Every day needs like soap, sleeping mats, clothes and foodstuffs except yam and okro are welcome at the homes.
Folami said: “I appeal to Nigerians to support this vision; we need help to treat the patients. Many of them are destitute persons but we can rehabilitate them with your help.”
As Folami made to leave the house again, he called Femi and left instructions. “If anybody asks after me, say I will soon be back. Lock the door and don’t go anywhere.” Femi replied from inside the house accepting the responsibility; he did not stir from his mat.
