Former Catholic Knight Arrested Over Alleged Ritual Cleansing Exercise in Nnewi

A former Catholic Knight of St John International, Sir James Louis Okoye, has reportedly been arrested by vigilantes in Nnewi, Anambra State, after he was allegedly seen carrying out what he described as a cleansing exercise on the streets of the town.

Okoye reportedly attracted attention on Saturday after he was seen dressed in red, carrying a bell and walking through parts of Nnewi with fresh palm fronds in his mouth.

According to reports, Okoye told those who questioned him that he was carrying out a cleansing exercise because he believed the land and community had been desecrated.

A short video circulating online showed Okoye sitting on the floor while being questioned at what appeared to be a vigilante office.

During the interrogation, he reportedly maintained that he had done nothing wrong and insisted that the exercise was intended for the good of Nnewi.

Okoye had previously made headlines in January 2026 during the official opening and consecration of Our Lady of Assumpta Catholic Church in Nnewi.

At the event, he reportedly protested what he described as the failure to recognise the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contribution to the construction of the church.

Okoye, who was then a member of the Catholic knighthood, was captured in a video removing his shoes and knighthood hat as he walked out of the church.

He was heard shouting “Ifeanyi Ubah ndo” before dusting his shoes as he left the premises and saying “Akachaam”, which he appeared to use as a declaration that he was no longer associated with Christianity.

His actions at the time generated significant attention on social media, particularly because of his position as a Catholic knight.

Okoye subsequently became less visible in public until his reported arrest over the weekend.

In the latest video, he appeared to explain that his actions were part of an effort to cleanse Nnewi land, maintaining that he was acting in the interest of the community.

The circumstances surrounding his arrest and whether any formal charges have been filed against him were not immediately clear.

The incident has since generated mixed reactions online, with some social-media users expressing concern about his behaviour and others debating the cultural and religious implications of the alleged cleansing exercise.

Some commenters have also speculated about Okoye’s mental state, although such claims have not been medically established and should not be treated as a confirmed diagnosis.

The development comes months after Okoye’s dramatic departure from the Catholic Church attracted widespread attention and renewed discussions about the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contributions to projects in Nnewi.

Further details about the circumstances of his arrest and the next steps by the relevant authorities are expected to emerge.