The court also imposed a fine of ₦20 million on the controversial spiritualist.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, confirmed the judgement to journalists on Friday, describing it as another milestone in the state's campaign against criminality and deceptive spiritual practices.
Justice Jude Obiora delivered the judgement, convicting Okocha on one of the three charges brought against him following his arrest in February 2025. The native doctor had been in detention for about one year and six months before sentencing.
DailyVista247 gathered that Onyeze Jesus was prosecuted alongside other prominent native doctors, including Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and Ekene Igbonekwu, also known as Eke Hit, following the Anambra State Government's crackdown on alleged ritual practices and fake spiritual claims.
According to the state government, the prosecution was anchored on the provisions of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, enacted by the administration of Governor Charles Soludo to combat criminality allegedly linked to ritual practices and the promotion of wealth through supernatural means.
The law specifically prohibits the promotion and performance of practices commonly referred to as "Oke-Ite" and "Ezenwanyi", which allegedly promise wealth and success through mystical or ritual means. It targets individuals who deceive members of the public with claims of supernatural wealth creation.
Under Sections 18 and 19 of the law, anyone found guilty of deceiving members of the public with claims of supernatural wealth creation or preparing charms intended to aid criminal activities is liable to a maximum sentence of six years imprisonment, a fine of ₦20 million, or both.
The court found Onyeze Jesus guilty under Section 18 for propagating the acquisition of wealth through supernatural means. The law has been described by the state government as a tool to sanitize the spiritual and religious space in Anambra.
The Anambra State Government launched a major crackdown on fake native doctors and fake miracle workers in early 2025. The operation led to the arrest of several high-profile spiritualists accused of promoting money rituals, commonly known as Yahoo Plus, among youths.
Security agencies said many of the practices encourage get-rich-quick syndrome and have been linked to kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes in the South East. Governor Soludo's administration said the Homeland Security Law was necessary to restore values and protect young people.
Reacting to the judgement, Commissioner Law Mefor said the conviction should serve as a deterrent to others who use spiritual practices to defraud members of the public. He said the state will continue to prosecute all those arrested under the law.
Onyeze Jesus, who previously called himself a prophet, became popular on social media for his controversial spiritual practices and claims of supernatural powers. He was among the first set of native doctors arrested during the crackdown.
The case has attracted wide attention in Anambra and across Nigeria, with many residents supporting the government's action against deceptive spiritual practices. Seven other suspected fake pastors arrested in the state last month were separately ordered to be remanded in custody pending trial.
The Anambra State Government said the war against fake native doctors is ongoing and more prosecutions are expected in the coming months as investigations continue.
