NEWS
Former Catholic Knight, James Louis Okoye, Arrested During Controversial Cleansing Exercise in Nnewi
Sir James Louis Okoye, a former Catholic Knight of St John International who attracted widespread attention after publicly renouncing Christianity over the alleged failure to recognise the contributions of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to a Catholic cathedral project in Nnewi, Anambra State, has reportedly been arrested.
Okoye, popularly known as Ebube Anaedo, was reportedly taken into custody by local vigilantes in Nnewi on Saturday after he was seen moving through the streets of the town in a red outfit, with a fresh palm frond placed between his lips and a bell in his hand.
The former knight was said to have been conducting what he described as a spiritual cleansing exercise, claiming that the land had been desecrated and needed to be purified.
His latest appearance has reignited public interest in the controversial figure, who became widely known in January following a dramatic incident at the official consecration of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Nnewi.
During the event, Okoye protested what he regarded as the church’s failure to adequately acknowledge the role played by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in the construction of the cathedral.
Ubah, who died in 2024, was believed by Okoye to have contributed significantly to the project and had reportedly taken the construction to an advanced stage before his death.
In a video that circulated widely at the time, Okoye was seen removing his shoes and knighthood hat as he walked out of the church premises. He also dusted his shoes after stepping through the gate, in what appeared to be a symbolic departure from the Catholic faith.
He subsequently apologised to the late senator and announced his decision to renounce Catholicism, saying his action was prompted by what he considered the church’s failure to recognise Ubah’s contribution.
The development generated considerable controversy in Nnewi and reportedly resulted in Okoye being excommunicated from the Knight of St John International.
For several months, the former knight largely stayed out of the public spotlight, until his appearance on the streets of Nnewi on Saturday brought him back into public attention.
A short video recorded after his reported arrest showed Okoye seated on the floor inside what appeared to be a vigilante office, where he was questioned by several men.
During the interrogation, he explained that he had embarked on the exercise to cleanse Nnewi land because he believed the community had been spiritually desecrated.
Okoye maintained that he had committed no wrongdoing and insisted that his actions were intended to protect the interests and well-being of Nnewi.
He also reportedly told the vigilantes that he had obtained permission from the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, before commencing the exercise.
The incident has since triggered mixed reactions on social media.
While some individuals who witnessed or viewed footage of the exercise questioned Okoye’s mental state and described his behaviour as unusual, others rejected such claims, arguing that his actions should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of mental illness.
Some commenters also maintained that Okoye was simply exercising his religious beliefs and had not harmed anyone.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear, including whether any formal complaint was lodged against him or whether he was subsequently released.
As of the time of filing this report, there was also no independent confirmation regarding Okoye’s health or mental state, and it remained unclear whether he was still in the cus
tody of the vigilante operatives.