An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced popular native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, widely known as “Onyeze Jesus,” to six years imprisonment and imposed a ₦20 million fine after convicting him under the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
Justice Jude Obiora delivered the judgment on Friday following the conclusion of Okocha’s trial, which arose from his arrest during a state-wide security operation targeting suspected criminal native doctors in February 2025.
The prosecution accused the native doctor of using social media to promote unlawful spiritual practices, including claims that he could make people wealthy through supernatural means.
He also faced allegations of preparing charms for criminals, conducting “Oke-Ite” rituals and operating money-doubling schemes.
However, after reviewing the evidence presented before the court, Justice Obiora convicted Okocha on only one of the three counts filed against him.
The court held that the prosecution successfully proved that the defendant misled members of the public by claiming to possess supernatural powers capable of making individuals rich through prohibited spiritual practices.
According to the judge, Okocha admitted during proceedings that he was the individual featured in the viral videos circulated across social media platforms and also acknowledged ownership of the accounts used to publish the content.
Justice Obiora ruled that the videos encouraged the belief that wealth could be acquired through supernatural rituals instead of lawful labour.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted him on the remaining two counts after finding that the prosecution failed to establish allegations relating to ritual killings and money-doubling activities.
Justice Obiora noted that no witness or material evidence was presented to show that any individual benefited from the alleged rituals or fraudulent schemes.
Delivering the judgment, the judge said:
“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.”
Before sentencing, Okocha broke down in tears while pleading with the court to temper 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,” he pleaded.
Reacting after the judgment, Okocha’s lawyer, Sir Bath Okafor Ezedinobi, said the defence team would first obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgment before determining its next legal steps.
“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,” he stated.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, described the judgment as a significant validation of the state’s Homeland Security Law.
“We believe that the sentencing and the fine as prescribed by the law and the number of years to be spent in custodial facility is quite in order and it will serve as a deterrent to others.
“We know that the Anambra Homeland SecurIty law 2025 is fully in force and I believe that it is what was tested today by the judiciary and I can only advise people who are into this kind of criminal conduct as identified in section 18 Sub Section 1 which talks about ‘Oke-Ite’, such harmful practices that are confusing our youths making them to believe that wealth without work is possible.
“This judgment put a very effective conclusion to it and whoever is found would face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Mefor stressed that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is not opposed to traditional religion or legitimate spiritual practices but remains committed to taking action against individuals who exploit religion or supernatural claims to deceive members of the public.
He further disclosed that the seven pastors earlier arraigned under the same Homeland Security Law remain in custody while their cases continue before the courts.
“The arraigned Pastors are in detention as directed by the Court and they will continue to have their days in custody until they are found guilty or discharged by the Court,” he added.
Meanwhile, proceedings involving another native doctor popularly known as “Eke-Hit” were adjourned until September 26 after both the prosecution and defence adopted their written addresses before the court.
