Justice Jude Obiora sentenced Igboekweze to six years each on counts one and two, with the terms to run concurrently without an option of a fine. The court also ruled that the time he had already spent in detention would be deducted from his sentence.
Igboekweze and other suspects were arraigned before the court on April 4, 2025.
During his defence, the native doctor described himself as a herbalist and a member of the Odinani Okija Traditional Association. He told the court that his practice involved the use of herbs and roots, arguing that the viral videos linked to him were recorded before the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 came into effect.
In his judgment, Justice Obiora held that the prosecution had established counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt, while count three was decided in favour of Igboekweze.
Before the sentence was handed down, Igboekweze pleaded with the court for forgiveness and leniency. He said he had learnt from the experience and appealed to the judge to consider the effect of the sentence on his family.
He particularly pleaded for consideration because of his newborn triplets, whom he said he had yet to meet.
His wife, Elizabeth, and half-brother also appealed for leniency, describing him as a person of good character. They told the court that he was his mother’s only son in a polygamous family.
Igboekweze, a native of Umuofor Village, Okija, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, became popular on social media for advertising charms he claimed could bring wealth.
He was arrested in February 2025 by Agunechemba security operatives alongside two other native doctors.
The arrests came after the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, which prohibits native doctors from claiming that they can make people wealthy through “Oke Ite” and other rituals. The law also prohibits the preparation of charms for criminals.
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