By Izunna Okafor, Awka
About one year after his arrest following the Anambra State Government’s launch of massive crackdown on alleged criminal native doctors and self-acclaimed spiritualists, a High Court sitting in Anambra State has convicted and sentenced self-styled spiritual leader, Onyebuchi Okocha (popularly known as Onye Eze Jesus), to six years imprisonment and also imposed a fine of ₦20 million.
Coming barely six months after the sentencing of another popular native doctor in the state, Chidozie Nwangwu (popularly known as Akwa Ọkụkọ Tiwara Akị) over his own case, the judgment on Onye Eze Jesus, which was delivered on Friday, has ignited another chain of reactions and counter-reactions on social media.
Many individuals, however, viewed it as one of the most significant outcomes of the state’s ongoing enforcement of the Anambra Homeland Security Law, which outlaws such activities as preparation of charms purportedly for criminal purposes, deceptive wealth rituals, and other practices considered capable of aiding insecurity and encouraging different forms of crimes, including kidnapping, internet fraud, among other criminal enterprises.
Delivering its judgement, the court found Onye Eze Jesus guilty of offences bordering on claims of supernatural powers for wealth creation and operating controversial spiritual schemes, including the widely-publicised “Oke-Ite” rituals, which prosecutors argued deceived members of the public and violated provisions of the Homeland Security Law.
The trial judge held that anyone who falsely claims mystical powers to make people wealthy through prohibited means or prepares charms outlawed by the law is liable to imprisonment and financial penalties. Consequently, the court sentenced the self-acclaimed prophet to six years imprisonment and also ordered him to pay a ₦20 million fine.
The arrest and the case of Onye Eze Jesus dates back to February 2025, shortly after Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo launched the Operation Udo Ga-Achị and intensified the implementation of the then newly-enacted Anambra Homeland Security Law. The Operation targeted suspected criminal hideouts, kidnappers, cult groups and native doctors accused of preparing charms allegedly used for criminal activities or promoting deceptive wealth rituals. The exercise led to the arrest of several high-profile native doctors and spiritualists across the state.
Among those arrested during the operation was Onye Eze Jesus, whose religious premises were searched by security operatives after authorities accused him of promoting controversial spiritual practices and making claims considered contrary to the provisions of the new law.
His conviction now comes months after similar legal actions involving other prominent figures caught in the government’s security dragnet, including that of Akwa Ọkụkọ, whose shrine was demolished after his arrest under the same security operation over allegations bordering on activities prohibited by the Homeland Security Law.
Also in the picture was Ekene Igboekweze (popularly Eke Hit), another self-acclaimed native doctor from Okija, who was also arrested in February 2025 during the crackdown and has continued to face prosecution over allegations connected with the preparation of charms and other activities alleged to contravene the state’s Homeland Security Law.
The convictions and ongoing prosecutions point to the Governor Soludo Administration’s determination to sustain its campaign against practices the government believes fuel insecurity and violent crimes across Anambra State.
Since the commencement of the enforcement exercise, the state government has repeatedly maintained that the campaign is not directed against genuine traditional religion or legitimate cultural practices, but against individuals who exploit spirituality, religion or traditional institutions to promote criminality, deceive unsuspecting members of the public, or facilitate crimes under the guise of supernatural powers.
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