Three men accused of kidnapping and murdering two teenagers and a woman for ritual purposes have been arraigned before an Enugu North Magistrates’ Court.
The suspects, Obi Levi Obieze, popularly known as “Ozo Ezeani” or “E dey play, e dey show,40, Sabastine Emeka Offor,64, and Odinwamkpa Ejike 38, were brought before His Worship, Osondu Chukwuani, sitting in Court 1 of the Enugu North Magisterial District, on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.
According to the charge sheet marked: MEN/473c/2025, the crimes allegedly occurred between April and May 26, 2025, along Umuojo Road in Ishiagu village, Umumba Ndiagu community, Ezeagu Local Governments, Enugu state.
Police prosecutor and head of the legal team, Justice Attah, told the court that the principal suspect, Obieze, is a native doctor who carried out the killings as part of ritual activities at his shrine.
“That you, Obi Levi Obieze, also known as Ozo Ezeani or ‘E dey play e dey show,’ and others now at large, conspired to commit kidnapping and unlawfully killed the victims in a diabolic ritual,” the charge sheet partly read.
The three defendants are accused of kidnapping Okoye Ukamaka ,13, Chimaobi Ezi,15, and Joy Miracle Udokamma,31. Chimaobi and Joy were later murdered, the prosecution alleged.
Counts five to seven of the charge focus on conspiracy to commit murder and the actual killings, offences punishable under Sections 494 and 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State.
Obieze, who had reportedly fled the state following the incidents, was later apprehended at the Badagry-Seme border through joint efforts by the police, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other security agencies.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In his ruling, Magistrate Chukwuani stated that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case due to the nature of the offences.
“These are capital offences, and only a High Court can try such matters,” he said.
He ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice and possible reassignment to a higher court. The suspects were remanded at the Enugu Custodial Centre pending further proceedings, and the case was adjourned to August 20, 2025, for mention.
The arraignment is part of the Enugu state Government’s broader clampdown on ritual killings and cult-related crimes.
In May, Governor Peter Mbah’s administration demolished Obieze’s country home in Umumba Ndiagu, in line with extant laws targeting properties linked to kidnapping and violent crimes.
In June, Governor Mbah also transmitted a proposed legislation titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order” to the Enugu State House of Assembly.
The bill seeks to ban ritual practices, including the making of “bulletproof” charms (odeshi) and money rituals (okite), as part of wider efforts to tackle insecurity and occult practices across the state.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with many residents expressing shock over the brutality of the alleged crimes and calling for swift justice
