A High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced popular native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, widely known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years’ imprisonment over fraudulent spiritual practices.
The court also imposed a fine of ₦20 million on the controversial spiritualist, who was subsequently remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre to begin serving his jail term.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, confirmed the judgment on Friday, describing it as another milestone in the state government’s efforts to tackle criminality and deceptive spiritual practices.
According to Mefor, the conviction followed the prosecution of Onyeze Jesus under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, enacted by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to curb criminal activities allegedly linked to ritual practices and false claims of supernatural wealth creation.
Onyeze Jesus was prosecuted alongside other prominent native doctors, including Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and Ekene Igbonekwu, also called Eke Hit, following the state’s crackdown on alleged ritual practices, fake spiritual claims and activities believed to encourage crime.
The law prohibits the promotion and performance of practices commonly referred to as “Oke-Ite” and “Ezenwanyi”, which allegedly promise wealth and success through mystical or ritual means.
Under Sections 18 and 19 of the law, anyone found guilty of deceiving members of the public with claims of supernatural wealth creation or preparing charms intended to facilitate criminal activities is liable to a maximum sentence of six years’ imprisonment, a ₦20 million fine, or both.
While Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki entered into a plea bargain with the state in February and received a concurrent two-year prison sentence, Onyeze Jesus opted to stand trial and was handed the maximum punishment prescribed by the law.
Speaking after the judgment, Mefor said the Soludo administration would continue to prosecute individuals who exploit religion, spirituality or traditional practices to promote criminality.
He stressed that fake pastors, self-acclaimed prophets and rogue native doctors found culpable under the Homeland Security Law would face prosecution without fear or favour.
The commissioner also recalled that the state government had demolished shrines and properties linked to individuals accused or convicted of promoting ritual-related crimes as part of its broader campaign against insecurity.
The prosecution of Onyeze Jesus formed part of a sweeping crackdown launched by the Soludo administration in late 2024 and intensified in 2025 against native doctors and spiritualists accused of promoting ritual practices, “money-making” charms and other activities believed to encourage crime.
During the operation, the state government arrested several high-profile native doctors, shut down multiple shrines and demolished properties allegedly used for criminal and ritual activities.
Governor Soludo has repeatedly maintained that while his administration respects traditional religion and lawful cultural practices, it will not tolerate individuals who exploit spiritual beliefs to promote fraud, kidnapping, internet fraud, ritual killings or other criminal activities.
(The Whistler)
