Crime
Enugu Police Arraign Popular Herbalist, Two Others Over Ritual Killings, Kidnappings
Levi Obieze, also known by the alias “E dey play e dey show,” was reportedly apprehended while attempting to flee Nigeria through the Badagry-Seme border.
Enugu State– The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned three suspects, including a man identified as a ritualist, over alleged involvement in a string of kidnappings and murders that recently terrorised communities in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
The accused persons—Levi Obieze, Sabastine Emeka Offor, and Odinwamkpa Ejike—were brought before His Worship Osondu Chukwuani at Court 1 of the Enugu North Magisterial District on a seven-count charge.
According to the charge sheet, the trio conspired to commit felony, namely kidnapping, an offence punishable under Section 495(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
Levi Obieze, also known by the alias “E dey play e dey show,” was reportedly apprehended while attempting to flee Nigeria through the Badagry-Seme border.
Police sources allege that he played a key role in a wave of abductions and ritual killings that shocked the Umumba Ndiagu and neighbouring communities in May 2025.
The case, filed under charge number MEN/473c/2025, is being prosecuted by Superintendent of Police Justice Attah Esq., who heads the legal team of the Enugu State Police Command.
The charge read in part: “That you, Obi Levi Obieze, a.k.a Ozo Ezeani/E dey play e dey show (male), Sabastine Emeka Offor (male), Odinwamkpa Ejike (male), and others now at large, between the month of April, 2025 to 26th day of May, 2025, at about 1800hours at along Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
“That you… and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Ukamaka, female, aged 13 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.
“That you… and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Chimaobi Ezi, male, aged 15 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.
“That you… and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Joy Miracle Udokamma, female, aged 31 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.
“That you… on or before the 21st day of May, 2025, at Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
“That you… on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Chimaobi Ezi, male, aged 15 years and thereby an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you… on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Joy Miracle Udokamma, female, aged 31 years and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge. Following their plea, the presiding Magistrate, His Worship Osondu Chukwuani, directed the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to review the charges and recommend referral to a higher court, as Magistrate Courts lack jurisdiction to hear capital offences such as kidnapping and murder.
The case was adjourned to August 20, while the accused were ordered to be remanded in prison custody pending further proceedings.
