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 State Homeland Security Law.
Justice Jude Obiorah delivered the judgment on Friday, finding Okocha guilty of misleading members of the public by claiming that he possessed supernatural powers capable of making people wealthy through practices prohibited by the state law.
The court imposed what was described as the maximum punishment prescribed under the law—six years’ imprisonment and a ₦20 million fine.
Okocha was convicted on one of the three counts brought against him following his arrest during the Anambra State Government’s crackdown on suspected native doctors and spiritualists in February 2025.
The prosecution had accused him of promoting supernatural wealth on social media, engaging in “Oke-Ite” practices, preparing charms allegedly used by criminals and operating money-doubling schemes.
In convicting Okocha, Justice Obiorah held that the defendant admitted being the individual featured in viral videos circulated on social media and acknowledged ownership of the accounts through which the disputed claims were promoted.
The judge found that the videos propagated the idea that individuals could acquire wealth through supernatural or spiritual means rather than through lawful work.
The court held that persons who claim to possess powers capable of making others wealthy through prohibited practices, or who prepare charms outlawed by the Anambra Homeland Security Law, are liable to imprisonment, financial penalties or both.
Sections 18 and 19 of the law provide penalties of up to six years’ imprisonment and a ₦20 million fine for specified prohibited ritual and supernatural-wealth practices.
The court, however, discharged Okocha on the remaining two counts after holding that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations relating to ritual killings and money-doubling activities.
Justice Obiorah said no witness or other sufficient evidence was presented to prove that anyone had benefited from the alleged rituals or that the defendant committed the offences alleged in those counts.
The conviction was therefore limited to the charge concerning his public claims that he could make people wealthy through supernatural practices prohibited by the law.
Before the sentence was pronounced, Okocha reportedly broke down in tears and pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
He told the court that it was his first offence and the first criminal case he had faced.
“My Lord, please temper justice with mercy because this is my first offence and this is the first time that I am having a court case,” he pleaded.
Okocha said he had remained in custody since his arrest in February 2025 and did not know the whereabouts of his wife and twin children, whom he described as dependent on him as the family’s breadwinner.
He also claimed that three widows who had depended on him died while he was in detention because no one was available to care for them.
The court nevertheless imposed the custodial sentence and fine, after which he was returned to the Awka Correctional Centre.
Okocha’s lawyer, Sir Bath Okafor Ezedinobi, said the defence would obtain and study the Certified True Copy of the judgment before deciding whether to challenge the conviction.
“According to the court, he was given the maximum sentence, and we shall apply for the Certified True Copy of the judgment, look into it and then know the appropriate steps to take,” Ezedinobi said.
He noted that Okocha was convicted and sentenced on the first count but discharged on the second and third counts.
The lawyer added that sentences imposed on multiple counts could run concurrently, although the conviction in this case was limited to one count.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, described the judgment as an affirmation of the Homeland Security Law enacted by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Mefor said the six-year sentence and ₦20 million fine were in accordance with the law and would deter others from engaging in practices that encourage young people to believe they could become wealthy without legitimate work.
“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,” he said.
He referred specifically to Section 18(1), which addresses “Oke-Ite” and related practices that the government considers harmful and capable of misleading young people.
According to the commissioner, anyone subsequently found engaging in such prohibited conduct would face the full consequences of the law.
Mefor maintained that the Soludo administration was not opposed to traditional religion or legitimate religious practices.
He said the government’s action was directed at persons who allegedly exploited religious or spiritual claims to deceive the public, promote unlawful wealth or enable criminal activities.
The commissioner also disclosed that seven pastors previously arraigned under the same law remained in custody pending the determination of their cases.
“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,” Mefor said.
Meanwhile, the separate case involving another native doctor, Ekene Igboekweze, popularly known as “Eke-Hit,” was adjourned until September 26 after the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses.
Okocha, Igboekweze and Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki,” were arrested during the 2025 security operation and subsequently arraigned before the Anambra State High Court.
TheNigeriaLawyer earlier reported that the three men were remanded after being arraigned on charges connected with alleged money rituals, charms for criminals and other prohibited practices.
Nwangwu later entered into a plea-bargain agreement with the state government and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with the sentences on the relevant counts ordered to run concurrently.
The judgment against Okocha represents another major test of the Anambra Homeland Security Law, which the state government introduced as part of its campaign against ritual practices, fraudulent spiritual claims and activities it alleges contribute to crime and insecurity.
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