The Anambra State High Court has sentenced popular native doctor Ekene Igboekweze, popularly known as “Eke Hit,” to six years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of offences relating to the advertisement of charms for wealth, claims of making people rich through “Oke Ite” rituals and the preparation of charms for criminals.
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Justice Jude Obiorah, delivering judgment on Friday, convicted Igboekweze on two of the three counts brought against him, holding that the prosecution proved Counts One and Two beyond reasonable doubt while resolving Count Three in the defendant’s favour.
The court imposed six years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts, but ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning the terms will be served at the same time. The sentence carries no option of fine, while the period Igboekweze has already spent in detention is to be taken into account.
“The prosecution proved counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt, but count three is resolved in favour of the defendant,” Justice Obiorah said.
“The defendant is hereby found guilty on counts one and two of offences bordering on advertising charms for wealth, claiming to make people rich through ‘Oke Ite’ and other rituals, and preparing charms for criminals, among others.
“He is hereby sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on each count. The sentences shall run concurrently without an option of a fine, with the period spent in detention taken into consideration.”
Igboekweze, who hails from Umuofor Village, Okija, in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, became widely known through social media videos in which he was said to have advertised charms associated with wealth and other traditional practices.
He was arrested in February 2025 by operatives of the Anambra State security outfit, Agunechemba, alongside two other well-known native doctors, following the coming into force of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
The law prohibits, among other things, claims by native doctors or spiritual practitioners that they can make people wealthy through “Oke Ite” or similar rituals and the preparation of charms for persons engaged in criminal activities.
Igboekweze and the other defendants were subsequently arraigned on April 4, 2025, on charges which included conspiracy, kidnapping, preparation of protective charms for criminals and money rituals.
During his defence, Igboekweze told the court that he was a registered herbalist and a member of the Odinani Okija Traditional Association, maintaining that his practice involved the use of herbs and roots.
He also argued that the viral videos relied upon against him were old recordings produced before the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 came into effect.
The court, however, accepted the prosecution’s case on two of the counts while finding in his favour on the third.
Before sentence was passed, Igboekweze pleaded for mercy, telling the court that he had learnt his lessons and asking the judge to consider his family circumstances.
He particularly told the court that he had newborn triplets whom he had not yet seen.
One of his two wives, Elizabeth, and his half-brother, Chief Mike, also testified to his character and appealed for leniency. They told the court that Igboekweze was the only son of his mother in a polygamous family and described him as a kind person who had been helpful to those around him.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the convict, Chief Emmanuel Egbunonu, said the court had shown consideration by waiving what he described as the ₦40 million fine attached to the two charges.
Also reacting, Fabian Okeke of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice said the judgment was intended to protect society from practices the government considers harmful to human creativity and the willingness of young people to engage in productive and legitimate ventures.
The conviction comes amid the Anambra State Government’s broader enforcement of the Homeland Security Law against practices it says promote ritual wealth, criminality and purported shortcuts to financial success.
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