A High Court in Anambra State has sentenced controversial self-acclaimed prophet and native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years’ imprisonment and imposed a ₦20 million fine after convicting him under the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
The judgment, delivered on Friday, is regarded as one of the most significant convictions recorded in the state government’s ongoing crackdown on alleged fraudulent spiritual practices and criminal activities linked to some self-styled native doctors.
Onyeeze Jesus, who has been in detention for about a year and six month, was arrested alongside another native doctor from Oba Idemili South LGA of the state, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as ‘Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki’ and another known as ‘Eke – Hit’ from Ihiala LGA.
Akwa Okuko is currently serving out his sentence after being convicted, while Eke-hit had his matter adjourned to September 26th as the counsels for the accused and prosecution submitted their respective written addresses to the Court on the same day.
Onyeze Jesus was charged with enriching people through supernatural means and money doubling which contravenes Section 18 of the Anambra State Homeland Laws.
He was also charged with three-count charges of propagating money-making through supernatural means on his social media handles, running an Oke- Ite spiritual practice and money doubling.
But in his judgement, Justice Jude Obiora found him not guilty in the second and third charges but upheld the first count charge.
According to the presiding Judge, Onyeze Jesus admitted being the person in the viral videos propagating the act of making money through supernatural means rather than through known lawful means of acquiring wealth, as well as ownership of the social media handles where they were published.
Justice Obiora ruled that the allegations of ritual murder and money doubling could not be proven as there were neither any proof nor persons that testified to have benefited from the practices.
Before the judgement was handed down, Onyeze Jesus broke down in tears kneeling in the witness box, pleading that the Court should tamper justice with mercy.
“My Lord please tamper justice with mercy because this is my first offence and this is the first time that I am having a Court Case,” begged.
“Since February last year that I was arrested and have been in custody, I do not know the whereabout 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 judgement, Counsel to Onyeze Jesus, Sir Bath Ezedinobi noted that his client was given maximum sentence, saying they will apply for the Certified True Copy of the judgment, review it and then know the appropriate steps to take.
Observers say the conviction of Onyeze Jesus sends a strong signal that the state government is determined to enforce the law and hold accountable individuals who use religious or traditional beliefs as a cover for fraud and other criminal activities.
State authorities have reiterated their commitment to sustaining the ongoing crackdown on illegal spiritual practices and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice in accordance with the law.
