Popular Anambra-based native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, widely known as Onyeze Jesus, has been sentenced to six years in prison after an Anambra State High Court found him guilty of offences linked to fraudulent spiritual practices. In addition to the jail term, the court imposed a ₦20 million fine on the controversial spiritualist. Following Friday’s judgment, he was remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre to begin serving his sentence.
The conviction was confirmed on Friday by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, who described the judgment as another major step in the Soludo administration’s ongoing campaign against criminality and deceptive spiritual activities.
Onyeze Jesus stood trial alongside other well-known native doctors, including Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and Ekene Igbonekwu, also known as Eke Hit, following the Anambra State Government’s crackdown on alleged ritual practices, false spiritual claims and activities believed to encourage crime.
The state government said the prosecution was based on the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, introduced by the administration of Governor Charles Soludo to tackle criminal activities allegedly associated with ritual practices and claims of supernatural wealth creation.
The law outlaws practices commonly referred to as “Oke-Ite” and “Ezenwanyi”, which are alleged to promise wealth and success through mystical or ritual means.
Under Sections 18 and 19 of the law, anyone found guilty of deceiving the public with claims of supernatural wealth creation or preparing charms intended to facilitate criminal activities faces a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment, a ₦20 million fine, or both.
While his co-defendant, Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, accepted a plea bargain with the State in February and received a concurrent two-year prison sentence, Onyeze Jesus proceeded with the trial and was handed the maximum punishment prescribed by law.
Reacting to the verdict, Commissioner Mefor reiterated the Soludo administration’s resolve to rid the State of individuals who exploit religion, spirituality and traditional practices to promote criminality.
He said the government would continue to enforce the Homeland Security Law without bias, warning that fake pastors, self-styled prophets and rogue native doctors found guilty under the law would face prosecution.
Mefor also recalled that the state government had previously demolished shrines and properties linked to individuals accused or convicted of promoting ritual-related crimes as part of efforts to improve security.
The prosecution of Onyeze Jesus followed a sweeping enforcement exercise launched by the Soludo administration in late 2024 and intensified in 2025, targeting native doctors and spiritualists accused of promoting ritual practices, so-called “money-making” charms and other criminal activities.
During the operation, the Anambra State Government arrested several high-profile native doctors, shut down multiple shrines across the State and demolished properties allegedly connected to ritual and criminal activities.
Among those arrested were Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki), Ekene Igbonekwu (Eke Hit) and Onyeze Jesus, all accused of making claims capable of encouraging criminality and misleading members of the public.
Governor Charles Soludo has consistently maintained that while his administration respects legitimate traditional religion and lawful cultural practices, it will not tolerate anyone who uses spiritual beliefs as a cover to promote fraud, kidnapping, internet fraud, ritual killings or any other form of criminal activity.
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