Anambra: Court Sentences Native Doctor Onyeze Jesus to Six Years in Prison, Slams ₦20 Million Fine

AWKA, Anambra State — An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced popular self-acclaimed native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, widely known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years imprisonment and imposed a ₦20 million fine for promoting the acquisition of wealth through supernatural means.

Justice Jude Obiora delivered the judgment on Thursday, July 17, after finding Okocha guilty on one of the three charges brought against him under Section 18 of the Anambra State Homeland Security Laws.

The convict had been in detention for approximately one year and six months following his arrest over allegations that he deceived members of the public by claiming he could make people wealthy through spiritual powers and money-doubling rituals.

The prosecution accused Onyeze Jesus of using his social media platforms to advertise and promote supernatural wealth creation, while also operating the controversial Oke-Ite spiritual practice.

In his judgment, Justice Obiora dismissed the second and third counts, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish allegations relating to ritual killing and money doubling. The court noted that no credible evidence was presented and no witness testified to having benefited from the alleged money-doubling activities.

However, the judge held that the first charge was proven beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the defendant admitted to owning the social media accounts where the videos were published and acknowledged that he was the individual featured in the viral clips promoting supernatural wealth creation.

According to the court, encouraging members of the public to seek wealth through supernatural means rather than lawful economic activities violated the provisions of the Anambra State Homeland Security Laws.

As the sentence was pronounced, Onyeze Jesus reportedly broke down in tears and pleaded for leniency.

Addressing the court, he said:

"My Lord, please temper justice with mercy because this is my first offence and the first time I have ever faced a court case. Since February last year when I was arrested and kept in custody, I do not know the whereabouts of my wife and my twin children who depend on me as the breadwinner. Also, since I have been in custody, three widows who depended on me have died because there was no one to care for them."

Despite the emotional plea, the court upheld the sentence, bringing to a close one of the state's most closely watched prosecutions involving alleged fraudulent spiritual practices.

The judgment is expected to reinforce the Anambra State Government's ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities disguised as traditional or spiritual practices and to discourage the promotion of fraudulent wealth schemes targeting unsuspecting members of the public.