By Emeka Chiaghanam
Anambra State High Court in Awka has sentenced native doctor
Ekene Igboekweze, popularly known as “Eke Hit”, to six years in prison after
finding him guilty on two counts linked to conspiracy and money rituals.
Justice Jude Obiorah imposed six years on count one and
another six years on count two, but ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
The court also ruled that there would be no option of a fine.
Igboekweze, from Umuofor Village, Okija, in Ihiala Local
Government Area, had gained a large following online through videos in which he
advertised charms purportedly associated with wealth and other purposes.
His conviction followed a case that began after his arrest
in February 2025 by operatives of Agunechemba, the Anambra State security
outfit. Two other native doctors were arrested alongside him.
The arrests came after Governor Chukwuma Soludo signed the
Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025. The legislation prohibits claims of
making people wealthy through “Oke Ite” and other rituals.
It also prohibits the preparation of charms for criminals,
forming part of the state’s wider attempt to tackle practices that authorities
consider a threat to public safety and responsible livelihoods.
Igboekweze and the other suspects were arraigned before the
High Court on 4 April 2025. The charges included conspiracy, kidnapping,
preparing protective charms for criminals and money rituals.
During the trial, Igboekweze maintained that he was a
registered herbalist and a member of the Odinani Okija Traditional Association.
He told the court that his practice involved herbs and roots.
He also said the viral videos that brought him attention
online were old recordings made before the Anambra State Homeland Security Law
2025 came into force.
In his judgment, Justice Obiorah found that the prosecution
had proved counts one and two against Igboekweze beyond reasonable doubt. The
judge, however, resolved count three in favour of the defendant.
Before sentence was passed, Igboekweze admitted that he had
learnt his lesson and appealed to the court for forgiveness. He asked the judge
to consider his family circumstances.
He told the court that he had newborn triplets whom he had
not seen because he had remained in custody. His wife, Elizabeth, and his
half-brother, Chief Mike, also pleaded for mercy.
The family members described Igboekweze as a well-behaved
and kind person. They said he was his mother's only son in a polygamous family
and asked the court to consider his character.
Their appeal did not prevent the court from imposing the
prison terms on the two counts it found had been established by the
prosecution.
The court also took into account the period Igboekweze had
already spent in detention, meaning that time will count towards his sentence.
Speaking after the proceedings, his lawyer, Chief Emmanuel
Egbunonu, said the court had shown consideration by waiving the ₦40 million fine attached to the two
offences.
Government counsel Barrister Fabian Okeke, from the Anambra
State Ministry of Justice, said the judgment was intended to protect society
from dangerous trends that undermine human creativity and discourage people
from engaging in meaningful ventures.
The ruling brings to a close the High Court proceedings
against Igboekweze arising from the 2025 crackdown, while the court's findings
remain limited to the counts the prosecution successfully established during
the trial.
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