An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced popular native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as “Onyeze Jesus,” to six years imprisonment and imposed a ₦20 million fine after finding him guilty of violating the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
Justice Jude Obiora, who delivered the judgment on Friday, convicted Okocha on one of the three charges brought against him following his arrest during the Anambra State Government’s crackdown on suspected criminal native doctors in February 2025.
The prosecution had accused the self-acclaimed spiritualist of using social media to promote supernatural wealth, preparing charms for criminals, performing alleged “Oke-Ite” rituals, and operating purported money-doubling schemes.
However, the court found him guilty only of deceiving members of the public by claiming to possess supernatural powers capable of making people wealthy through unlawful spiritual practices.
Justice Obiora held that the defendant admitted being the individual featured in the viral videos circulated on social media and acknowledged ownership of the platforms used to promote the controversial claims.
The judge ruled that Okocha’s messages encouraged the dangerous belief that wealth could be acquired through prohibited spiritual means instead of legitimate hard work, an offence punishable under the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted him on the remaining two counts after holding that the prosecution failed to prove allegations relating to ritual killings and alleged money-doubling activities.
According to the court, no witness or credible evidence was presented to establish that anyone benefitted from the alleged rituals or fraudulent practices.
Delivering the verdict, Justice Obiora declared:
“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 the sentence was pronounced, an emotional Okocha pleaded for leniency, telling the court that the case marked his first encounter with the law.
“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.
“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.”
Reacting to the judgment, defence counsel, Sir Bath Okafor Ezedinobi, said the legal team would obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before deciding whether to challenge the conviction at the appellate court.
“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,” the lawyer said.
The judgment marks one of the most high-profile convictions secured under the Anambra Homeland Security Law since the state government intensified its campaign against native doctors and individuals accused of promoting criminality through ritual practices and deceptive spiritual claims.
