Court jails native doctor 12 years over money rituals

An Anambra High Court in Awka, on Friday, sentenced native doctor Ekene Igboekweze, known as “Eke Hit”, to six years imprisonment.

Justice Jude Obiora sentenced Mr Igboekweze to six years on count one and another six years on count two.

The sentences will run concurrently without an option of fine and include the period he had already spent in detention.

Mr Igboekweze and other suspects were arraigned on 4 April 2025 on charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, protective charms and money rituals.

During his defence, Mr Igboekweze told the court he was a registered herbalist and member of the Odinani Okija Traditional Association.

He said he used herbs and roots in his practice, adding that the viral videos that made him popular were old.

According to him, the videos were recorded before the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.

In his judgement, Justice Obiora held that the prosecution proved counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge, however, resolved count three in favour of the defendant.

Before sentencing, Mr Igboekweze pleaded for forgiveness, saying he had learnt his lessons and urging the court to consider his family.

He particularly appealed for consideration of his newborn triplets, whom he said he had not seen.

His wife, Elizabeth, and half-brother also pleaded for leniency, describing him as well-behaved and kind.

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They told the court that Mr Igboekweze was his mother’s only son in a polygamous family and had maintained good character.

Mr Igboekweze, who hails from Umuofor Village, Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, gained social-media popularity advertising charms purportedly capable of bringing wealth.

He was arrested by Agunechemba security vigilance operatives in February 2025 alongside two other native doctors.

The arrests followed the signing of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 by Governor Charles Soludo.

The law prohibits native doctors from claiming that they can make people wealthy through “Oke Ite” and other rituals.