Native doctor bags six-years jail term over fake spiritual claims

A High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced popular native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years’ imprisonment and imposed a ₦20 million fine for fraudulent spiritual practices.

The judgment was confirmed on Friday by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, who described the conviction as part of the state government’s efforts to curb criminality linked to deceptive spiritual activities.

According to Mefor, Onyeze Jesus was prosecuted under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, which prohibits individuals from deceiving members of the public with claims of supernatural wealth creation or preparing charms intended to aid criminal activities.

The commissioner said the native doctor was arraigned alongside other prominent spiritualists, including Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and Ekene Igbonekwu, also called Eke Hit, following the state government’s crackdown on alleged ritual practices and fraudulent spiritual claims.

While Akwa Okuko accepted a plea bargain and received a concurrent two-year jail term earlier this year, Onyeze Jesus opted to stand trial and was handed the maximum sentence prescribed under the law.

Justice also ordered that the convict be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre to begin serving his sentence.

Mefor said the Soludo administration would continue to prosecute fake pastors, self-acclaimed prophets and native doctors who exploit religion or traditional beliefs to promote fraud, kidnapping, internet fraud, ritual killings and other criminal activities.

He added that the state government remained committed to enforcing the Homeland Security Law while distinguishing legitimate traditional religious practices from activities that encourage crime.