An Anambra State High Court has sentenced a popular native doctor, Ekene Igboekweze, popularly known as “Eke Hit,” to six years in prison for offences involving the promotion and preparation of charms linked to wealth rituals.
Igboekweze, from Umuofor Village in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, was convicted on two counts.
Justice Jude Obiorah, who delivered the judgment on Friday, ruled that the prosecution had proved the first and second counts against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
The court sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment on each count, with both terms to run concurrently and without an option of a fine.
The judge also directed that the period Igboekweze had already spent in detention should be taken into account.
The charges against the native doctor included advertising charms purportedly capable of making people wealthy through “Oke Ite” and other rituals, as well as preparing charms for criminals.
Native doctor arrested in 2025
Igboekweze was arrested in February 2025 by Agunechemba security personnel alongside two other native doctors.
The arrests followed the signing of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, which prohibits practices including claims of making people wealthy through “Oke Ite” and other rituals, as well as the preparation of protective charms for criminals.
The defendant was subsequently arraigned before the court on April 4, 2025, alongside charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, preparing protective charms for criminals and money rituals.
During his defence, 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 some of the viral videos connected to his arrest were old recordings made before the 2025 security law came into effect.
Court clears defendant on one count
While the court found Igboekweze guilty on the first two counts, Justice Obiorah resolved the third count in his favour.
Before sentencing, the defendant appealed for mercy, saying he had learnt from the case and asking the court to consider his family and newborn triplets, whom he said he had not yet seen.
His wife, Elizabeth, and half-brother, Chief Mike, also appealed for leniency and testified about his character.
After the judgment, Igboekweze’s lawyer, Chief Emmanuel Egbunonu, said the court had shown consideration by not imposing the ₦40m fine associated with the two offences.
A representative of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Fabian Okeke, said the judgment was intended to address practices considered harmful to society and discourage activities that undermine productive livelihoods.
The six-year sentences will run concurrently, meaning Igboekweze will serve one six-year term rather than six years separately for each of the two convictions.
