Crime
Fake Native Doctor Onyeze Jesus Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison, Seven Fake Pastors Remain in Custody
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced self-acclaimed native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₦20 million after finding him guilty under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
The judgment comes as seven pastors previously arraigned on related allegations remain in custody pending the determination of their cases by the court.
Another suspected native doctor, popularly known as Eke Hit, also appeared before the court, where his case was adjourned to September 26 after both the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses.
Onyeze Jesus had spent about one year and six months in detention after being charged with promoting wealth through supernatural means, contrary to Section 18 of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
He faced a three-count charge bordering on allegedly promoting money-making through supernatural means on his social media platforms, operating the controversial Oke-Ite practice, and claims of money doubling.
In his judgment, Justice Jude Obiora discharged the defendant on counts two and three, holding that the prosecution failed to establish allegations relating to ritual practices and money doubling. However, the court convicted him on the first count, finding that he openly propagated the idea of acquiring wealth through supernatural means rather than lawful enterprise.
The judge noted that the defendant admitted being the individual featured in the viral videos and acknowledged ownership of the social media accounts used to disseminate the messages.
Justice Obiora held that there was no credible evidence or testimony proving that Onyeze Jesus engaged in ritual killings or successfully doubled money for anyone, leading to his acquittal on those counts.
Before sentencing, Onyeze Jesus broke down in tears, kneeling in the witness box as he pleaded with the court for leniency.
“My Lord, temper justice with mercy. This is my first offence and the first time I have appeared before a court,” he said.
He added that since his arrest in February last year, he had lost contact with his wife and twin children, who depended on him, and claimed that three widows he had been supporting died while he remained in custody.
Reacting to the judgment, defence counsel, Sir Bath Okafor Ezedinobi, described the sentence as the maximum prescribed by law and said the legal team would obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgment before deciding on its next line of action.
“We will study the judgment carefully and determine the appropriate legal steps. The court convicted him on count one and discharged him on counts two and three,” he said.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, welcomed the judgment, describing it as a strong affirmation of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
He said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to those promoting practices that encourage the false belief that wealth can be acquired without legitimate work.
“The law is now fully operational, and today’s judgment demonstrates that it will be enforced. Anyone involved in practices prohibited under Section 18 of the law, including Oke-Ite, will face the full weight of the law,” Mefor said.
He stressed that the Soludo administration was neither against traditional religion nor Christianity but against individuals who exploit religion or traditional practices to deceive people, especially young Nigerians, with false promises of instant wealth.
Mefor also confirmed that the seven pastors earlier arraigned under the same law remain in custody in accordance with the court’s directive.
“The pastors are still in detention and will remain so until their cases are concluded and the court reaches its verdict,” he said.
Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack occurred on Monday evening, barely four days after another deadly incident in the community reportedly left four policemen and seven residents dead.
Community sources said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duty and was returning to Ayilamo when his entourage came under attack.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers stationed in the area.
He said the officers were attacked at about 6pm while travelling from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community from Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed in the attack.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Ayilamo, where repeated attacks have resulted in casualties among security personnel and residents.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
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