The Anambra State Government has addressed growing public concerns over the continued detention of three prominent native doctors, clarifying that they are being held legally based on court orders.
Speaking during a media briefing at CANA House in Awka on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, dismissed allegations that the native doctors were being unlawfully detained by the state-backed security outfit, “Operation Udo-Ga-Achi.”
DAILY GAZETTE recall that the individuals in question; Onyebuchi Okocha (widely known as Onye Eze Jesus), Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko) and Ekene Igboekweze (Eke Hit) were arrested in February as part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s clampdown on ritual-related practices and criminal support allegedly involving traditional spiritualists.
After their arrest, they were charged with various offences related to “money ritual,” “oke ite,” and “preparation of charms for criminals.”
They were later arraigned at the Anambra State High Court in Awka, where they entered their pleas.
The court adjourned the case, and it remains pending.
Amid speculation that they were being held incommunicado and without trial, Dr. Mefor stated firmly that their detention is lawful and sanctioned by the judiciary.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He further explained that the police play a role in deciding the detention locations, which are legally sanctioned.
“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.”
