Awka High Court convicts self-styled prophet for illegal wealth claims after 18 months in custody
Justice Jude Obiora of the Awka High Court sentenced Onyebuchi Okocha, known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years in prison and a N20 million fine on July 17, 2026. The court found him guilty of promoting supernatural wealth claims online, though it dismissed separate charges tied to ritual practices and money doubling.
A court in Anambra State has closed the book on one of the region’s most talked-about cases. Onyeze Jesus, whose name translates to “Jesus the King,” walked into the courtroom to hear his fate after 18 months behind bars.
The self-styled native doctor built a following on social media by claiming he could make people rich through supernatural means. His case tested how far Anambra’s Homeland Laws reach into online preaching and spiritual claims.
The charges and the verdict
Prosecutors brought three counts against Okocha. They accused him of preaching money-making through supernatural means, running Oke-Ite spiritual practices, and promoting money doubling.
Justice Obiora dismissed the second and third charges. He upheld only the first count, tied to Section 18 of Anambra’s Homeland Laws.
The judge noted that Okocha admitted appearing in the viral videos and confirmed he owned the accounts that spread the claims. However, the court found no proof or witnesses to support the ritual murder or money doubling allegations.
Okocha begs for mercy
The convicted man broke down as the judge read out the sentence. He knelt at the witness box and pleaded for leniency.
“My Lord please tamper justice with mercy because this is my first offence and this is the first time that I am having a court case. Since February last year that I was arrested and have been in custody, I do not know the whereabout of my wife and my twin children who depend on me as the breadwinner. Also since I have been in custody three widows who depend on me have all died due to the fact that there is no one taking care of them,” he cried.
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He told the court his absence had left his family without support, and that three widows who relied on him had died while he awaited trial.
