Why some native doctors are still in custody — Anambra Govt
By Jeffrey Agbo
Anambra State Government has addressed concerns surrounding the continued detention of three well-known native doctors, stating that they remain in custody based on valid court orders pending the conclusion of their criminal trial.
State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, made the clarification on Wednesday in response to widespread rumours suggesting that the suspects were being unlawfully held by the state-backed “Operation Udo-Ga-Achi” security outfit without trial.
The native doctors in question — Onyebuchi Okocha (popularly known as Onye Eze Jesus), Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko), and Ekene Igboekweze (Eke Hit) — were arrested in February during Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s clampdown on ritualists and traditional spiritualists allegedly linked to criminal activities.
Following their arrest, the trio was arraigned at the Anambra State High Court in Awka. They entered their pleas and the case was adjourned.
The charges against them include alleged involvement in “money ritual”, “oke ite”, and the preparation of charms for suspected criminals.
However, concerns continued to grow over their exact detention locations and the legality of their custody, with allegations that they were being held indefinitely by vigilante operatives.
Responding during a press briefing at CANA House, Awka, Commissioner Mefor dismissed the allegations, insisting their detention is lawful and backed by the judiciary.
He said, “Udo-Ga-Achi is made up of vigilante groups and police and those high-profile native doctors being detained like Onyebuchi Okocha (alias Onye Eze Jesus), Chidozie Nwangwu (a.k.a. Akwa Okuko), Ekene Igboekweze (alias Eke Hit), and others are not being detained without the approval of the police.
“However, if you feel your right is being trampled upon, you go to court to seek redress. Nobody is being held unduly. All these native doctors, none of them is being held by us, they are being held under the order of the court.
“Police is part of the ‘Udo-Ga-Achi’ security outfit, the suspects may be detained wherever the police approve the suspects arrested should be and that has been the practice. People who are saying they are being detained, where do you keep suspects, in the Vatican?
“They should be detained somewhere until they are taken to court. Nobody is being held in Anambra unduly. They are there under the orders of the court and releasing them means disobeying order of court.”
