Former Catholic Knight arrested over alleged ritual cleansing exercise in Nnewi

Vigilantes in Nnewi have arrested Sir James Louis Okoye, a former Catholic Knight of St John International, who reportedly renounced Christianity during the official opening of Our Lady of Assumpta Catholic Church, Nnewi in January this year over non-recognition of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Okoye was arrested after he was seen on Saturday, September 5, wearing a red dress with fresh palm fronds between his lips, with a bell in hand, performing what he believed was the ritual cleansing of Nnewi land on the streets of the town.

Okoye gained popularity in January, during the official consecration of the Nnewi Catholic Cathedral, where he decried the non-recognition Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who he believed built the cathedral to almost completion before his death.

He was captured on video removing his shoes and knighthood hat as he stepped out of the cathedral, shouting, “Ifeanyi Ubah ndo” meaning Ifeanyi Ubah sorry. Also, while stepping out of the gate, he dusted his shoes and shouted “Akachaam”, a sign that he was done with Christianity.

Since then, very little has been heard of him until Saturday, when he was reportedly arrested.

A short video showing Okoye siting on the floor and being interrogated in what looked like a vigilante office, the former knight of the church said he was engaged in a cleansing exercise for Nnewi land because the community had been “desecrated.”

He insisted he had done nothing wrong by engaging in the cleansing, insisting that he was doing it for the good of Nnewi town.

His action has sparked mixed reactions online with many claiming he is mentally unstable.