The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned three suspects, including a self-proclaimed ritualist, Mr. Obi Levi Obieze, on a seven-count charge bordering on kidnapping and murder in Umumba Ndiagu and nearby communities in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
Obieze, popularly known as “E dey play e dey show” was arraigned alongside Sabastine Emeka Offor and Odinwamkpa Ejike before His Worship Osondu Chukwuani at Court 1 of the Enugu North Magisterial District.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants are accused of conspiracy to commit a felony, specifically kidnapping an offence punishable under Section 495(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
Obieze, who had reportedly been on the run, was arrested while attempting to flee the country via the Badagry-Seme border. He is believed to have played a key role in a spate of kidnappings and ritual killings that unsettled the Umumba Ndiagu community in May 2025.
The charge sheet, marked MEN/473c/2025, was filed by Superintendent of Police Justice Attah Esq., head of the Enugu State Police Command’s legal team.
The charge partly read, “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.
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“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.