The Editor
A High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Jude Obiora, on Friday, sentenced one of the arrested native doctors, Onyebuchi Okocha, also known as “Onyeze Jesus” to six years imprisonment with an fine of N20 million, after finding him guilty under the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
Okocha’s arraignment follows his arrest and detention, alongside other native doctors during a security operation carried out in February 2025.
He is facing a three-count charge of flaunting money making through supernatural means on his social media handles as well as accused of preparing protective charms for criminals and engaging in money rituals, otherwise known as “Oke-Ite” spiritual practices and also money doubling.
The trial judge, Justice Obiora, found him guilty of deceiving members of the public by claiming he possess supernatural powers and operating controversial spiritual schemes, including the widely publicised “Oke-Ite” rituals.
However, the Judge found him not guilty in the second and third charges, but upheld the first count charge.
Delivering judgment, Justice Obiora, held that the defendant admitted being the person in the viral videos and ownership of the social media handles as well as the voicing of propagating the act of making money through supernatural means, rather than through known lawful means of acquiring wealth.
However, Justice Obiora ruled that the allegations of ritual murder or money doubling, could not be proven as there were neither any proof nor persons that testified to have benefited from the practices.
Delivering his judgment, the judge held that “Individuals who claim supernatural powers capable of making people wealthy through prohibited practices or preparing charms outlawed by the Anambra Homeland Security Law are liable to imprisonment and financial penalties.”
The trial judge, therefore, sentenced him to six years in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of ₦20 million following his conviction.
Before handing down the judgment, the defendants broke down in tears kneeling at the witness box pleading that the Court should tamper justice with mercy.
“My Lord please tamper justice with mercy because this is my first offence and this is the first time that I am having a court case.
“Since February last year that I was arrested and have been in custody, I do not know the whereabouts of my wife and my twin children who depend on me as the bread winner.
“Also since I have been in custody three widows who depend on me have all died due to the fact that there is no one taking care of them.”
Speaking on the judgment, the Counsel to “Onyeze Jesus” Sir Bath Okafor Ezedinobi said, “According to the Court he was given maximum sentence and we shall apply for the Certified True Copy of the judgment and we look into it and then know the appropriate steps to take.
“According to the law, the sentence can run concurrently and he was sentenced in count 1 and discharged in count 2 and 3.”
