By Lawrence Agbo
A High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has convicted popular spiritualist Onyebuchi Okocha, widely known as Onyeze Jesus, for engaging in fraudulent spiritual practices prohibited under the state’s Homeland Security Law.
The court sentenced the controversial spiritualist to six years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₦20 million after finding him guilty of offences linked to deceptive spiritual claims.
Confirming the judgment on Friday, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, described the ruling as a significant step in the government’s efforts to curb criminality and fraudulent spiritual activities.
According to the state government, Onyeze Jesus was prosecuted alongside other well-known spiritualists, including Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and Ekene Igbonekwu, also called Eke Hit, following a statewide crackdown on alleged ritual practices and misleading claims of supernatural wealth creation.
The prosecution was based on the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, introduced by Governor Charles Soludo’s administration to combat crimes linked to ritual practices and fraudulent spiritual activities.
Under the law, individuals found guilty of promoting charms or rituals that encourage criminal acts or falsely promise wealth through supernatural means are liable to a maximum sentence of six years’ imprisonment, a ₦20 million fine, or both.
While Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki accepted a plea bargain earlier this year and received a concurrent two-year prison sentence, Onyeze Jesus proceeded to trial. He was handed the maximum punishment prescribed by law.
Reacting to the judgment, Mefor reaffirmed the Soludo administration’s commitment to enforcing the Homeland Security Law, warning that fake pastors, self-proclaimed prophets and rogue native doctors who violate the law would continue to face prosecution.
He added that the government would sustain its campaign against individuals exploiting religion and traditional beliefs to promote fraud, ritual-related crimes, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Following the judgment, Onyeze Jesus was remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre to begin serving his prison term.
(The Sun)