An Anambra State High Court in Awka has sentenced native doctor Ekene Igboekweze, popularly known as “Eke Hit,” to 12 years in prison over offences linked to alleged kidnapping, protective charms and money rituals.
Justice Jude Obiora gave him six years on each of two counts, with the terms running concurrently and without an option of fine. The judge also ordered that time already spent in detention be counted.
Igboekweze and two others were arraigned on April 4, 2025. During his defence, he said he was a registered herbalist and a member of the Odinani Okija Traditional Association, where he used herbs and roots. He also said his viral videos were old and made before the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025.
The judge ruled that the prosecution proved counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt but found count three in Igboekweze’s favour.
Before sentencing, Igboekweze asked for forgiveness and pleaded that his family be considered, especially his newborn triplets, whom he said he had not seen since birth. His wife, Elizabeth, and half-brother also asked for leniency, describing him as kind and well-behaved.
Igboekweze, from Umuofor Village, Okija, was arrested in February 2025 with two other native doctors by Agunechemba operatives after the law was signed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The law bans native doctors from claiming they can make people wealthy through “Oke Ite” and other rituals, as well as preparing charms for criminals.
Another native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, earlier jailed for 11 months, was pardoned by Soludo on Friday and appointed youth ambassador for Anambra.
