Court jails Anambra native doctor for six years

Abimbola Joseph

The Anambra State High Court has sentenced popular native doctor Ekene Igboekweze, known as “Eke Hit”, to six years in prison for offences linked to advertising wealth charms and claiming to make people rich through “Oke Ite” and other rituals.

Justice Jude Obiorah, who delivered the judgment on Friday, convicted Igboekweze on two counts after finding that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The court sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment on each count, with the terms to run concurrently and without an option of a fine. The period he has already spent in detention will count towards his sentence.

Igboekweze, from Umuofor Village, Okija, in Ihiala Local Government Area, was also convicted of an offence involving the alleged preparation of charms for criminals.

The native doctor was arrested in February 2025 by Agunechemba security personnel alongside two other native doctors following the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.

He was subsequently arraigned on April 4, 2025, on charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, preparing protective charms for criminals and money rituals.

The prosecution alleged that Igboekweze had used social media to advertise charms for wealth and claimed to possess powers to make people rich through “Oke Ite” and other rituals.

In his defence, however, Igboekweze said he was a registered herbalist and a member of the Odinani Okija Traditional Association. He maintained that his practice involved the use of herbs and roots.

He also told the court that the viral videos which formed part of the basis for his arrest were old and had been produced before the 2025 law came into force.

Delivering judgment, Justice Obiorah found the defendant guilty on counts one and two but resolved count three in his favour.

“The prosecution proved counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt, but count three is resolved in favour of the defendant,” the judge said.

Before sentencing, Igboekweze pleaded for forgiveness and asked the court to consider his family, including his newborn triplets, whom he said he had not seen.

His wife, Elizabeth, and half-brother, Chief Mike, also appealed for leniency, describing him as a kind-hearted person and the only son of his mother in a polygamous family.

Reacting after the judgment, Igboekweze’s counsel, Chief Emmanuel Egbunonu, said the court had been considerate by waiving the ₦40 million fine attached to the two convictions.

Fabian Okeke of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, however, described the judgment as a measure intended to protect society from practices he said could undermine human creativity and discourage productive ventures.