The Anambra State Government has arraigned eight suspected fake pastors before a State High Court in Awka for allegedly violating the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025.
Among those arraigned is Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, an Abia indigene, Onitsha-based Pentecostal cleric and senatorial aspirant for Abia Central District under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
Nwankpa and seven other Christian clerics were arraigned on Friday over allegations bordering on fake prophecies and miracles.
Operatives of the Agunechemba vigilante group were seen in a video clip escorting the defendants into the court building.
The Commander of Agunechemba and Special Adviser on Security to Governor Charles Soludo, Ken Emeakayi, led the team that brought the defendants to court.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, is leading the prosecution.
However, details of the specific charges against the defendants had not been made public at the time of filing this report.
The arraignment is part of the Soludo administration’s ongoing crackdown on suspected fake pastors, native doctors and spiritualists accused of exploiting residents or encouraging criminal activities under the guise of religion or traditional practice.
Reacting to the arrest, the media aide to Bishop Nwankpa, Stanley Nduagu, condemned the action of the Anambra State Government, insisting that the cleric had never been involved in fake activities in over 25 years of ministry.
Nduagu said the allegations against Nwankpa lacked evidence and called for fairness in the handling of the matter.
Some kinsmen of the cleric from Isiala Ngwa in Abia State also raised concerns over his arrest and called for his immediate release.
One of them, Ngozi Ahunanya, accused the Anambra State Government of waging war against Christians and traditional religion.
Also reacting, the House of Assembly candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for Arochukwu Constituency, Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya, condemned Nwankpa’s arrest, describing it as unnecessary harassment of Christian clerics and worshippers.
The government had earlier launched enforcement actions against native doctors alleged to be preparing charms for armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals operating in the state.
Since the crackdown began, one native doctor, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, has been convicted and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for offences linked to ritual practices, robbery, conspiracy, preparing charms for criminals and aiding internet fraudsters.
Another native doctor, Johnpaul Ezenagu, is currently standing trial over similar allegations.
Governor Soludo had, in January 2025, signed the Anambra State Homeland Security Bill into law as part of measures to tackle insecurity in the state.
The law created the Agunechemba vigilante group and prohibited the making of charms for the commission of crimes, as well as the performance of sacrifices along roads in the state.
It also outlawed practices such as Oke-Ite and Ezenwanyi for alleged supernatural accumulation of wealth.
Under the law, offenders are liable, upon conviction, to six years’ imprisonment, a fine of N20 million, or both.