Suspected ritualist and kidnapper Ichie Millions Ezeani who allegedly buri3d pregnant women al!ve seen smiling in court after being arraigned (video)
In a chilling spectacle that has ignited widespread outrage across Nigeria, suspected ritualist and kidnapper, Obi Levi Obieze—widely known by his alias “Ichie Millions Ezeani”—appeared in court on Tuesday, August 6, wearing a broad smile despite facing horrific allegations. The 49-year-old native doctor, from the Ezeagu area of Enugu State, is accused of multiple counts of kidnapping, attempted murder, and ritual killings involving the alleged bur!al of pregnant women while still alive.
A disturbing video of the suspect entering the courtroom in handcuffs but smirking as he acknowledged the camera has since gone viral, fueling anger and disbelief among viewers who question how someone facing such severe accusations could display such a cavalier demeanor.
The suspect was formally arraigned before a magistrate court in Enugu under heavy security presence, with members of the public and press barred from recording court proceedings. However, the appearance of the accused and the nature of the charges have dominated media discourse and community conversation throughout the South-East region and beyond.
The saga began in late May 2025, when angry youths from Ezeagu stormed the compound of Obieze after suspicions surrounding his activities reached a boiling point. The final straw, according to local residents, was a reported failed kidnap attempt involving a 13-year-old girl from the community. Witnesses claim the girl narrowly escaped what they believe would have been a ritual abduction.
Following her escape, dozens of youths mobilized and forcefully entered Obieze’s premises on May 28. What they allegedly discovered sent shockwaves through the entire community.
Within the compound—hidden in plain sight—were multiple covered pits, resembling soak-away systems, which community members suspect were used as burial sites for victims of ritual killings. Among the most distressing claims were that some of the victims may have been pregnant women who were allegedly bur!ed alive as part of occult practices believed to be linked to wealth acquisition.
Photographs from the scene, leaked to local journalists, show a blood-stained shrine, disturbing ritual paraphernalia, and freshly disturbed earth around several of the pits. Community vigilantes say they found women’s clothing, used baby items, and blood-soaked linen buried around the compound.
The alleged crimes have left a dark cloud over the Ezeagu community. Residents describe a mixture of shock, horror, and grief as they reckon with the possibility that women and children may have been lost to an underground ritual syndicate operating in their midst.
“This is evil. It is not just a crime against individuals, it is a crime against the soul of our people,” said Chief Nduka Ezenwa, a local traditional leader, in an interview. “For years we suspected he was involved in something sinister, but no one had evidence. Now we are discovering the depth of the atrocities he may have committed.”
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Some women have taken to mourning at the gates of Obieze’s former compound, where security forces have since erected barriers. Several have reportedly lost relatives in unexplained disappearances over the years. A few families have even gone forward to law enforcement with DNA samples in the hopes of identifying remains once excavation of the site begins.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and several women’s rights groups have since issued public statements demanding full forensic investigation, including exhumation of the suspected ritual pits and an independent autopsy of any discovered remains.
According to the Enugu State Police Command, Ichie Millions attempted to flee the country after the community raid and partial destruction of his compound. Intelligence received by operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) indicated he was heading toward the Seme border in an effort to cross into Benin Republic using forged identification.
He was apprehended at a transport terminal in Lagos on June 3, 2025, and transported back to Enugu under high-security protocol. Police spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the arrest in a press briefing, noting that Obieze had tried to bribe law enforcement agents and was carrying over ₦1.2 million in cash, multiple ATM cards, and charms allegedly meant to confuse or paralyze his pursuers.
“He was tracked and intercepted while waiting for a cross-border fixer,” said DSP Ndukwe. “His capture was a result of inter-agency collaboration, and he will face the full weight of the law.”
Since his arrest, more witnesses have come forward with damning allegations. According to affidavits filed by prosecutors, Ichie Millions is suspected of being the spiritual leader of a criminal network that trafficked women and children across three states—Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra—for ritual purposes.
An anonymous police source close to the investigation told reporters that Obieze’s ledger, retrieved during the raid, allegedly contained names of “clients” and “offerings” listed in cryptic formats. Authorities believe this may be the coded record of past victims and the wealthy individuals who paid for the rituals.
The Enugu State Ministry of Justice has announced plans to file additional charges, including human trafficking, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of human body parts if DNA evidence confirms the presence of human remains in the suspect’s compound.
For now, the court has ordered that Obieze be remanded in prison custody pending the conclusion of the preliminary investigation and the ruling on jurisdiction by the state high court.
Social media has erupted in fury, with the video of the smiling suspect in court garnering millions of views within 48 hours. Many users have expressed anger at the perceived nonchalance of the judicial process, and some are calling for speedy trial and capital punishment if found guilty.
One user posted:
“A man accused of such evil should not be smiling. He should be weeping and begging for mercy, not mocking the people in chains.”
Another user wrote:
“We want justice, not delays. This cannot become another unsolved case.”
The outrage has prompted the Senate Committee on Women Affairs to demand a briefing from security agencies and propose a motion to regulate the practice of private native shrines and spiritual healing centers in the country.
Criminologists and forensic psychologists have weighed in on the video, with some noting that the smiling behavior could be indicative of either denial, dissociation, or a deep sense of invincibility often seen in narcissistic sociopaths.
Dr. Chika Okonkwo, a clinical psychologist, told the press:
“We have seen this kind of behavior in high-profile ritual killers before. The smile could be a defense mechanism, or a demonstration of his belief that spiritual forces will protect him. It is chilling, but not unprecedented.”
Human rights lawyers and advocacy groups are calling for transparency, protection of whistleblowers, and fair legal proceedings. Several local and international organizations, including Amnesty International and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), have petitioned the federal government for special prosecutorial oversight.
“This is not just a legal case—it is a national test of our moral and institutional capacity to protect vulnerable citizens,” said WARDC Director, Dr. Abiola Akiyode.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has promised that justice will be served, and the case will not be swept under the rug.
“We are deeply disturbed by the allegations. If proven true, these acts are abominable and against everything we stand for as a people. I assure you that justice will not be denied,” the governor stated during a media parley.
Obieze will next appear before the Enugu State High Court on August 21, 2025, for a hearing on the motion to move the case to a special tribunal given the national security and human rights implications.
Investigators say forensic analysis of the compound is ongoing, and cadaver dogs have already identified three spots that are likely to contain human remains. The police have promised a detailed update once testing and exhumation are complete.
As the nation watches with bated breath, the people of Ezeagu and surrounding communities remain gripped by a mixture of grief, fear, and a desire for closure. For many, the smiling face of Ichie Millions will haunt their memory—not as a symbol of strength, but of the evil that can flourish when no one is watching.
Video evidence and community interviews are available upon request. This is a developing story.