James Louis Okoye arrested in Nnewi after ritual cleansing

Sir James Louis Okoye, a former Catholic Knight of St John International, has been arrested in Nnewi by local vigilantes. Okoye, also known as Ebube Anaedo, was observed performing what he described as a ritual cleansing of the land. During the incident, he was reportedly wearing a red dress, holding a bell, and carrying a fresh palm frond in his mouth.

Okoye gained notoriety in January during the consecration of the Nnewi Catholic Cathedral. At that event, he publicly renounced Christianity and his knighthood to protest the church's perceived failure to recognize the contributions of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who is credited with nearly completing the cathedral's construction. Following his protest, he was excommunicated by the Knights of St John International.

During questioning by vigilantes, Okoye maintained that his actions were intended to address evil occurrences in Nnewi and claimed he had obtained permission from the traditional ruler to conduct the cleansing. It remains unclear where he is being held or if formal charges have been filed.