Enugu Court Remands Suspected Ritualist Who Allegedly Buried Pregnant Woman Alive, Two Others

A Magistrate Court in Enugu on Wednesday, August 6, ordered the remand of three men over allegations of kidnapping and murder, including a suspected ritualist, Obi Levi Obieze, popularly known as Ichie Millions Ezeani. Obieze, along with two other suspects—Sabastine Emeka Offor and Odinwamkpa Ejike—was arraigned before His Worship, Osondu Chukwuani, at Court 1, Enugu North Magisterial District, on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.

Despite the gravity of the charges, Obieze appeared in court with a smile, facing allegations that include the abduction of children and the murder of pregnant women who were allegedly buried alive. According to the charge sheet filed by the Enugu State Police Command, the accused were involved in a string of violent kidnappings and killings between April and May 2025 in Umumba Ndiagu Community, Ezeagu Local Government Area.

Among the victims were a 13-year-old girl named Ukamaka, a 15-year-old boy identified as Chimaobi Ezi, and a 31-year-old woman, Joy Miracle Udokamma. The suspects are accused of using personal violence during the abductions, with Chimaobi and Joy allegedly murdered during the ordeal. The charges are punishable under several provisions of the Criminal Code and its amendments as applicable in Enugu State.

The case, marked MEN/473c/2025, was presented by the Prosecutor and Head of the Legal Team, SP Justice Attah. The charge detailed that the suspects conspired to commit kidnapping and murder, and noted that several accomplices remain at large.

After the charges were read, all three defendants pleaded not guilty. In response, the Magistrate ruled that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review and appropriate filing at a higher court, stating that the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to hear capital offences such as murder.

The suspects were ordered to be remanded in prison custody until August 20, when the case is scheduled to return for mention. Obieze, the lead suspect, was apprehended in the Badagry-Seme border area while allegedly attempting to flee the country following reports of ritual killings and kidnappings that shocked residents of the Ezeagu community earlier this year.