By Rose Oranye
The Anambra State Government says the six-year
jail term and ""N20 million fine handed down to Onyebuchi Okeocha,
popularly known as “Onyeze Jesus”, are in line with the law and will serve as a
strong deterrent to others involved in criminal and deceptive practices.
The Commissioner for Information and Value
Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, stated this on Friday at the court premises, shortly
after the court delivered its judgement.
Responding to questions from journalists on
whether the court was “coming too hard”, Dr Mefor said the sentence reflects
what is prescribed by law.
“I’m not a judiciary officer, so I can’t take a
position on that. But we believe that the sentencing and the amount imposed, as
prescribed by the law, and the number of years to be spent in a custodial
facility — we believe that a combination of the two is quite in order,” he said.
“It will serve as a deterrent to others. They will
know that the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 is in full force.”
Dr. Mefor described the judgement as a test of the
new Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 by the judiciary, which he said was
found to be “necessary and efficacious".
He specifically referenced Section 18, Subsection
1 of the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025, which addresses “Okeite” and other
harmful practices.
“This judgement puts a very effective conclusion
to it. The commissioner warned that anyone who chooses that path will face the
full consequences of the law.
He advised Ndi Anambra, especially those involved
in criminal idolatry, to desist and seek legitimate means of livelihood.
“Some people are confusing our youth, making them
believe that wealth without work is possible, that there is some kind of magic
money somewhere. That era is over,” he said.
Dr Mefor was also quick to clarify the
government’s stance on religion and traditional worship.
"Let me also use this opportunity to say that
the government of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, is not against
traditional worship. What the government is against is criminal idolatry and
those who hide behind religion to deceive and confuse our youths. They just
have to stop. Let them look for a decent and honest way of earning a living and
pursuing their happiness.”
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