A former Catholic knight in Nnewi, Anambra State, has been arrested after he was seen moving through the town in red clothing with palm fronds and a bell.
The man, identified in the reports as James Okoye or Sir James Louis Okoye, was said to have been picked up by local vigilante operatives after the public appearance drew attention in Nnewi.
Daily Post reported that Okoye, also known as Ebube Anaedo, was seen on Saturday wearing a red dress, holding a bell and carrying out what he described as a cleansing of the land. Vanguard reported that passersby allegedly alerted local vigilante operatives after he was seen walking through parts of the town.
Okoye became widely discussed in January during the official opening of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Nnewi. He protested what he said was the failure to recognise the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s role in the cathedral project and publicly said he was leaving Christianity. Vanguard reported that the church later dismissed his claim.
In a video cited by the reports, Okoye was seen being questioned by local operatives. He maintained that there were problems in Nnewi that needed cleansing and said he had obtained permission from the traditional ruler, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, before carrying out the exercise.
Daily Post reported that it was not clear at the time of its report whether Okoye had been released. Vanguard also reported that it could not immediately establish where he was being held or whether any formal charge had been brought against him.
Sources: Vanguard, Daily Post
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