Native doctor who was arrested over alleged ritual killing, claims innocence

Obi Levi Obieze, the native doctor arrested by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) over alleged ritual killing in Umuojor village in Ishiagu community of Ezeagu local government of Enugu State, has denied the allegation levelled against him.

According to Obieze, the corpses found in a pit at his home were planted by people who were opposed to his possible emergence as a king in his community.

He made the comments while being interrogated by some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) who arrested him at the same border.

Obieze, popularly known as Levi Obu Onyeka, claimed that it was the president general of his community that masterminded the planting of the evidence against him. He claimed that the person who planted the evidence has been arrested.

When asked why he was travelling to Benin Republic, he claimed to be a businessman who deals in second hand clothing in the country.

Recently, videos and pictures showing gory images of corpses in a sewage pit at an uncompleted building allegedly owned by Obieze began trending on social media.

Vigilantes and security operatives were said to have discovered the pit in an uncompleted building allegedly owned and used by Obieze as a shrine.

The vigilantes were on the lookout for a 13-year-old girl who was abducted in the community in Tuesday.

A statement released by Daniel Ndukwe, Enugu police spokesperson, on Wednesday, said the herbalist fled the community after vigilantes and security operatives busted the uncompleted building.

“The operation also led to the arrest of three male suspects connected to the crime, namely: Uche Kingsley Agumba, aged 33; Ilo Nweze Onyedikachi, aged 36; and Ejike Odinwankpa, aged 38,” Ndukwe had said.

“The prime suspect, identified as High Chief Levi Onyeka Obu nicknamed “Ezeani” and “E-Dey-Play-E-Dey-Show,” a native doctor and prominent member of the community, fled the scene and is currently at large.

“During the rescue, two decomposing bodies, one male and one female, were discovered buried in a concrete-sealed pit within an uncompleted building, owned and used as a shrine, and heinous criminal activities by the fleeing prime suspect.

“Investigations reveal that the deceased victims were recently murdered and buried in the pit by the suspects for ritual purposes, and the rescued child was moments away from suffering the same fate before the timely intervention.”

A statement on Thursday by Akinsola Akinlabi, NIS spokesperson, said the herbalist was arrested at the Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme road while attempting to flee Nigeria on a motorcycle.

Akinlabi said the immigration is currently collaborating with the police for the handing over of the suspect.

“Through credible intelligence, Obi Levi Obieze was apprehended by vigilant men of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Border Patrol Command, at Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme Road while attempting to flee the country on a motorcycle,” the statement reads.

“He is currently in custody and his identity has been confirmed through a National Identity Management Commission enrollment slip found in his possession. During initial questioning, he admitted to the alleged crimes.”