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.

The United States House of Representatives has passed a spending bill containing measures that would make future American assistance to Nigeria conditional on the Federal Government taking demonstrable steps to curb violence and protect vulnerable communities, including Christians.
The fiscal 2027 State Department appropriations bill was approved on Wednesday by a 217-209 vote, largely along party lines.
A key amendment sponsored by Republican Congressman Gregory Steube strengthened the proposed restriction by increasing the amount of US assistance that could be withheld from 50 per cent to 100 per cent until the Secretary of State certifies that Nigeria has taken effective steps to prevent violence, protect vulnerable communities, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Announcing the passage of his amendment on X, Steube said the measure was aimed at ensuring that American taxpayers do not fund governments that fail to protect Christians.
“My amendment to withhold 100 per cent of U.S. aid to Nigeria until its government stops the slaughter of Christians has passed. American taxpayers should never bankroll governments that turn a blind eye while Christians are abducted, tortured, and murdered. No more wasteful foreign aid,” he wrote.
Another Republican lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, said the provision would ensure that US assistance is tied to measurable progress in protecting religious freedom, combating terrorism, and addressing violence against Christians and other religious minorities.
Moore alleged that thousands of Christians had been killed or abducted by extremist groups over the years and said the amendment followed congressional investigations, including visits by US lawmakers to assess the situation in Nigeria.
Speaking on the House floor, Steube argued that withholding only half of the proposed assistance would be insufficient.
“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address,” he said, adding that the amendment strengthens existing conditions by ensuring that no US assistance would continue without clear evidence of action against violence and religious persecution.
He stressed that the measure was intended to promote accountability rather than punish Nigerians.
“This is not about punishing the Nigerian people. It is about demanding accountability from their government and ensuring that our foreign aid is leveraged to defend, reflect, and uphold American values,” Steube said.
The proposed measure must still be approved by the US Senate and signed by President Donald Trump before it becomes law. Until then, it has no immediate effect on ongoing US assistance to Nigeria.
The development comes after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act in 2025, citing allegations of religious persecution and directing Congress to investigate the situation.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted, maintaining that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks from terrorists and criminal groups.
Despite the differing positions, Nigeria and the United States have continued to strengthen security cooperation, particularly in efforts to combat terrorism in parts of northern Nigeria.

Lawyers representing the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, have formally written to the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, requesting that an autopsy be conducted on the late Mary Habila before her remains are released for burial.
In a letter dated July 15, 2026, and acknowledged by the Ebonyi State Police Command the same day, Roy & Associates said they were acting on the instruction of the minister.
According to the petition, Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, died on June 27, 2026, in a staff residential building located within Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The lawyers stated that the deceased did not live in the same building as the minister, explaining that the building was reserved for members of Umahi’s staff and other personnel working with him. They further noted that on the night of her death, only Habila and another female occupant, identified as a physiotherapist, were in the building.
The legal team urged the police to ensure that a comprehensive autopsy is carried out by qualified forensic pathologists to scientifically determine the actual cause and circumstances of Habila’s death. They also requested that her remains should not be released to any person, including her next of kin, until the autopsy and all relevant investigative procedures have been concluded.
According to the letter, the request is intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminate speculation, and ensure that the true cause of death is conclusively established before burial.

Panic erupted at the permanent site of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) after the headless body of a middle-aged man was discovered on a farmland within the university premises on Wednesday.

The discovery was reportedly made in the early hours of the day, sending shockwaves through the university community.

A 300-level student of the institution, Pius Atok, told journalists that the deceased was neither a student nor a member of staff of the university.

“The body was found this morning on a farm around the university community. From what we gathered, the victim was neither a student nor a member of staff of the university,” he said.

A senior university official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary investigations showed the victim was a farmer known within the area.

“We have investigated and found the victim is neither a student nor a staff member of the university. He is known to people around the area because he usually goes there to farm. We believe he came very early this morning, as he normally does,” the official said.

The official added that the circumstances surrounding the killing remain unclear but suggested the attackers may have deliberately targeted the victim.

“What actually happened is still unclear, but from the nature of the attack, it appears those responsible came specifically to kill him and made away with his head,” the source added.

According to the official, the university’s Information Directorate is handling the matter and will issue an official statement through the institution’s communication channels.

The victim’s family has been notified, while arrangements are underway to evacuate the body. Security agencies are expected to investigate the incident.