Native Doctor Sentenced to 12 Years for Money Rituals

An Anambra High Court in Awka has sentenced native doctor Ekene Igboekweze, also known as "Eke Hit", to six years in prison. Justice Jude Obiora handed down the sentence on count one and another six years on count two. The sentences will run at the same time without a chance for a fine and will include the time he has already spent in detention.

Mr Igboekweze and other suspects were brought to court on April 4, 2025, facing charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, protective charms, and money rituals. During his defense, Mr Igboekweze said he was a registered herbalist and a member of the Odinani Okija Traditional Association. He claimed he used herbs and roots in his work and added that the viral videos that made him famous were old.

He explained that the videos were recorded before the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 was put in place. In his ruling, Justice Obiora stated that the prosecution proved counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt. The judge, however, ruled in favor of the defendant on count three.

Before the sentence was passed, Mr Igboekweze asked for forgiveness. He said he had learned his lessons and urged the court to consider his family. He specifically asked the court to think about his newborn triplets, whom he said he had not yet seen.

His wife, Elizabeth, and half-brother also asked for leniency. They described him as well-behaved and kind. They told the court that Mr Igboekweze was his mother’s only son from a polygamous family and had a good character.

Mr Igboekweze comes from Umuofor Village, Okija, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra. He became popular on social media by advertising charms that he claimed could bring wealth. He was arrested by Agunechemba security vigilance operatives in February 2025 along with two other native doctors.

These arrests happened after Governor Charles Soludo signed the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025. This law makes it illegal for native doctors to claim they can make people wealthy through "Oke Ite" and other rituals. It also bans the preparation of charms for criminals.