The Anambra State Government has filed an amended criminal charge against Igwe Lazarus Friday before the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, over allegations bordering on the alleged use of supernatural powers, practice of “Okeite”, public promotion of wealth accumulation through supernatural means, and operation of an unregistered health facility.
The charge, marked A/45C/2025, was filed in the case of The State v. Igwe Lazarus Friday, pursuant to Section 258(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022.
According to the charge sheet, the state alleged that the defendant committed the offences at Ezioka Village, Isuofia, within the jurisdiction of the court.
In count one, the prosecution alleged that Igwe Lazarus Friday, between 2004 and 2025, practised “Okeite” and had in his possession Okeite pots, charms and other substances which he allegedly prepared and administered to people for the purpose of committing offences, including obtaining under false pretence and accumulating wealth by supernatural means other than by any known lawful means of livelihood.
The offence was brought under Section 18(1) of the Anambra State Homeland and Security Law, 2025.
In count two, the state alleged that the defendant practised “Okeite” under the guise of being a native doctor or herbalist and had in his possession Okeite pots, charms and other substances which he allegedly administered to people for the purpose of accumulating wealth by supernatural means other than by any known lawful means of livelihood.
The charge also accused the defendant, in count three, of publicly propagating the accumulation of wealth by supernatural means through social media platforms.
According to the particulars of offence, the defendant allegedly used social media platforms to promote the accumulation of wealth by supernatural means other than by any known lawful means of livelihood.
In count four, the prosecution alleged that Igwe Lazarus Friday pretended to wield or possess supernatural powers to prepare Okeite for people, contrary to Section 18(3) of the Anambra State Homeland and Security Law, 2025.
The state alleged that he misled the public by pretending to possess supernatural powers to prepare Okeite and had in his possession Okeite pots, charms and other substances which he allegedly administered to people for the purpose of wealth accumulation by supernatural means.
The defendant was also charged with operating a health facility without qualification, contrary to Section 29(5) of the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency Law, 2024.
Under count five, the prosecution alleged that between May 2004 and February 14, 2025, at Ezioka Village, Isuofia, the defendant operated a healthcare facility where he administered healthcare services to members of the public despite allegedly not being qualified to operate such a facility.
In count six, the state alleged that Igwe Lazarus Friday owned or operated a practice without being registered as a practitioner, contrary to Section 59 of the Anambra State Herbal Practice Law, 2024.
The prosecution alleged that between December 2004 and February 14, 2025, the defendant operated a healthcare facility without being registered as a practitioner.
The amended charge was dated January 16, 2026, and signed by A. C. Anaenugwu, SAN, G. B. Obi, SAN, and C. M. Oluigbo, Esq., as counsel for the prosecution under Saxum Legal, Onitsha.
The address for service listed in the charge named the defendant through his counsel, Chinedu L. Anakor, Esq., of Raphael O. Nzekwe & Co., Awka.
The charge also bears the stamp of the High Court of Anambra State, Awka, dated January 20, 2026.
The defendant is expected to answer to the six-count amended charge before the court.
Anambra Govt Charges Igwe Lazarus Friday Over Alleged Okeite Practice, Unregistered Health Facility
Reacting to the charge, legal scholar and human rights advocate, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, questioned whether the offence of “use of supernatural powers” would survive constitutional scrutiny.
In a post on X, Odinkalu wrote: “It’ll be interesting to see whether a crime of ‘Use of supernatural powers’ passes constitutional muster.”
His comment raises a broader legal question on whether criminalising the alleged use of supernatural powers, as contained in the Anambra State Homeland and Security Law, 2025, can withstand constitutional tests relating to certainty of offence, proof, enforcement and fundamental rights.
The post “Use Of Supernatural Powers” — Anambra Govt Charges Igwe Lazarus Friday Over Alleged Okeite Practice, Unregistered Health Facility appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
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