By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka on Friday, July 17, 2026 convicted and sentenced a flamboyant self-acclaimed native doctor and prophet, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years’ imprisonment with an addition of N20 million fine.

Okocha was arrested over a year ago with other popular native doctors like Akwa Okuku Tiwara Aki for publicly propagating get-rich-quick through supernatural means on his social media page.

The Friday judgment marks another milestone in the enforcement of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, under which the State Government has intensified its crackdown on high profile native doctors in the state accused of deceiving the public through fraudulent spiritual practices.

Delivering judgment on the matter, the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora, held that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant publicly propagated the acquisition of wealth through supernatural means without lawful labour.

The court also said that, "Onyeze Jesus was responsible for the publication of the viral videos in which he promoted such practices on his social media platforms.

"The criminal investigation was conducted in accordance with the law, with the Agunechemba security outfit and the Nigeria Police Force participating in the investigation.”

On Count One, the court found Onyeze Jesus guilty of publicly promoting wealth acquisition through supernatural means without lawful labour and convicted him accordingly.

However, on Counts Two and Three, which bordered on allegations of money-doubling and the preparation of charms popularly known as Oke-Ite for money-making purposes, the court discharged and acquitted him after ruling that the prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

"Although the defendant admitted being the individual featured in the viral videos, owning the social media accounts, and making the statements contained in the recordings, there was no credible evidence to prove allegations of ritual murder, money-doubling, or that anyone actually benefited from the alleged spiritual practices," the judge ruled.

He further explained that the conviction was based solely on the proven offence of publicly promoting wealth acquisition through supernatural means.

The court however ordered that the six-year prison term should take effect from February 26, 2025, which is the date the convict was first remanded in custody.

The judge said: "Having already spent about one year and six months in detention, that period will count toward the sentence.

"The custodial sentence and the N20 million fine were imposed to serve as a deterrent to others who deceive young people into believing that wealth can be acquired through supernatural means rather than through honest labour.

"Such teachings mislead the youth and encourage dishonourable pursuits instead of legitimate hard work.

“I have the option of sentencing you to six years’ imprisonment or imposing a fine of N20 million or both. I am imposing both to serve as a deterrent to others."

Highlight of the court proceedings was when Onyeze Jesus broke down in tears and knelt before the court and pleaded for mercy shortly before the judgement was passed.

He described himself as the breadwinner of his family, urging the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that he was a first-time offender.

Onye Eze Jesus lamented that since his arrest in February last year, he had remained in custody without knowing the whereabouts or welfare of his wife and twin children.

He also claimed that three widows who depended on him for survival had passed away during his detention, while several orphans, students, and other beneficiaries of his charitable support were now suffering because of his incarceration.

His words: “My Lord, please temper justice with mercy. This is my first offence and the first time I have ever appeared before a court.

“Since February last year when I was arrested and detained, I do not know the whereabouts of my wife and my twin children who depend on me.

"I have also lost three widows that I was taking care of while in detention, and many students under my scholarship no longer have hope."

Counsel to the convict, Barrister Bartholomew Ezedinobi, on his part appealed for leniency, describing his client as a first-time offender.

He argued that Onyeze Jesus did not fully appreciate the legal implications of publicly promoting supernatural means of acquiring wealth and urged the court to take into account the period he had already spent in detention.

He said: “My Lord, my client did not appreciate the enormity of his actions or the consequences of his statements. He has learnt his lesson after spending one year and six months in custody.

“We pray the court to exercise its discretion with mercy and consider the option of a fine,” the defence counsel submitted.

Reacting to the judgment, Ezedinobi observed that the court imposed the maximum sentence on Count One while discharging and acquitting his client on Counts Two and Three.

He said the defence would obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before deciding its next legal step.

“We shall apply for the Certified True Copy of the judgment, study it carefully and determine the appropriate legal steps to take.

“According to the law, the sentence relates only to Count One because he was discharged and acquitted on Counts Two and Three,” he said.

Also, in his reaction, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, described the ruling as firm and consistent with the provisions of the Anambra Homeland Security Law.

He said the conviction should serve as a strong warning to individuals who exploit religion or traditional practices to deceive members of the public, particularly young people.

“We believe the sentence and the fine imposed by the court are appropriate and will serve as a deterrent to others. The Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 is fully in force, and today’s judgment demonstrates that the judiciary is prepared to enforce it.

“The government is not against traditional worship or religion. What it opposes is criminality perpetrated under the guise of religion or traditional practices to deceive and exploit innocent people.

“Practices such as Oke-Ite and the propagation of wealth without work mislead our youths into believing that success can be achieved through fraudulent supernatural means rather than honest labour. Such conduct has no place in Anambra State,” he said.

While confirming that the seven suspected fake pastors earlier arraigned before the court remain in custody in compliance with the court’s orders, Mefor noted that they will remain in detention until their respective cases are concluded and the court either convicts or discharges them.

He added: "The pastors will remain in detention as directed by the court and will continue to remain there until their cases are concluded and the court either convicts or discharges them."

Meanwhile, the case involving another suspected fake native doctor, popularly known as Eke-Hit, was adjourned until September 26 after counsel for both the prosecution and the defence adopted their respective written addresses before the court.