The Anambra State High Court has adjourned the high-profile trial of three native doctors accused of engaging in criminal activities and the use of notorious ‘Oke-Ite’ charms to April 11, 2025.
Presiding over the case, Justice Jude Obiorah stated that the adjournment became necessary to ensure proper service of court processes and the formal arraignment of the accused persons.
The accused popular native doctors Onyebuchi Okocha, widely known as Onyeze Jesus, Chidozie Nwangwu aka Akwa Okuko, and Ekene Igboekweze, known as Eke Hit face grave charges including possession of alleged "supernatural powers" for illicit purposes such as money rituals, destiny manipulation, conspiracy to commit felony, kidnapping, and obtaining by fraud.
The defendants, charged under Suit Numbers A/41C/2025, A/40C/2025, and A/42C/2025, were arrested in February by the Anambra State Security outfit, Agunechemba, and have reportedly been in detention without trial for over 60 days—an issue that has sparked widespread criticism from civil rights groups and legal observers.
Their long-awaited arraignment came after public outcry over their continued detention without access to legal representation or contact with family members.
Counsel to the accused, Barrister Remigus Okoli, described the prolonged detention as a breach of constitutional rights.
"The state government came with a plot to remand the defendants, but proper service and giving the accused adequate time to prepare for defence are very fundamental as enshrined in the constitution and relevant laws of the state," he argued.
Okoli also expressed confidence in the judicial process, saying, "The law is on our side in defending the accused, and we trust the court to uphold justice."
Meanwhile, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr. F.C. Okeke, insisted that the charges had been duly served.
However, the defence maintained that the service was not carried out in good time, prompting the court to grant an adjournment.
The case has now been scheduled for April 11, 2025, when the court is expected to proceed with proper arraignment and potentially kick off full trial proceedings.
The case continues to attract intense public interest, given the fame of the accused and the spiritual controversy surrounding the use of 'Oke-Ite' charms in traditional practices.
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