Native doctor gets N50 million bail for ritual case

A high court in Awka, Anambra State, granted a native doctor bail of N50 million on Friday.

The native doctor, Johnpaul Ezenagu, also known as “Muo Mmili Afuluanya,” is on trial for alleged ritual practices.

Mr Ezenagu was supposed to appear in court in April, but his case was postponed to 3 June due to his health issues.

During the hearing on 3 June, his lawyer, Kingsley Awuka, asked for bail on health grounds. The prosecution opposed this request and wanted the court to keep him in prison until the decision was made.

The court turned down the bail request and sent the native doctor to the Amawbia Correctional Centre.

The court set another hearing for 19 June (Today) to discuss the bail application.

During Friday’s hearing, Judge Jude Obiora granted Mr Ezenagu bail at N50 million with a surety for the same amount.

Judge Obiora also required Mr Ezenagu to deposit the title document of his house, which would be forfeited if he fails to show up in court.

The judge also stopped Mr Ezenagu from giving interviews to the press while the trial is ongoing. The trial was then postponed until 3 July.

Mr Awuka, the defence lawyer, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Ezenagu deserved the bail due to his health issues.

“The court was gracious in granting the bail, and deservedly so,” Mr Awuka said.

Mr Ezenagu was arrested in March by operatives of the Agunechemba, a vigilante group in Anambra, over the alleged crimes.

The native doctor is facing five charges in total.

The Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is leading the prosecution.

According to a charge sheet seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Ezenagu faces five different counts.

The counts include using supernatural means to gain wealth, throwing sacrificial items into water, and misleading people about having supernatural powers.

Others include taking money from the public by pretending to have supernatural powers and claiming to be a witch with powers.

During the first arraignment, the prosecution told the court that counts one to four go against Sections 18 and 19 of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.

They also said that the fifth count violates Section 192 (a) of the Criminal Code CAP 36 Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991.

Most of the charges against the native doctor are based on the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State started the Bill that created this law.

This law not only formed the Agunechemba vigilante group but also banned making charms for crime and performing sacrifices on roads in the state.

It aims to target native doctors who prepare charms for criminals disturbing residents in the South East.

The law also prohibits the practice of Oke-Ite and Ezenwanyi for wealth accumulation through supernatural means.

Violators of this law face up to six years in prison or a fine of N20 million, or both, if convicted.

The law is meant to help reduce insecurity in the state.

Since the law was passed, Governor Soludo’s government has been cracking down on fake native doctors and spiritualists who aid criminals by making charms for robbers, kidnappers, and terrorists.

Even pastors who allegedly cheat residents with fake miracles have been arrested.

Since the crackdown began, one native doctor, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, has been convicted and sentenced while eight suspected fake pastors were recently arraigned and sent to prison for allegedly performing fake miracles.

Mr Nwangwu, known as ‘Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki,’ received a 12-year sentence for crimes related to ritual practices, robbery, conspiracy, preparing charms for criminals, and helping internet fraudsters.