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 spotted conducting what he described as a ritual cleansing exercise in the town.
Okoye reportedly renounced Christianity in January 2026 during the official consecration of the Our Lady of Assumpta Catholic Cathedral in Nnewi, following his displeasure over what he described as the failure to recognise the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contribution to the construction of the church.
He attracted public attention at the time after he was captured on video removing his shoes and knighthood hat while leaving the cathedral.
While exiting the church premises, Okoye was heard shouting, “Ifeanyi Ubah ndo,” before dusting his shoes and declaring “Akachaam,” which he appeared to use as a symbolic statement of his departure from Christianity.
Months later, Okoye reportedly resurfaced on Saturday when vigilantes allegedly apprehended him after he was seen moving through the streets of Nnewi dressed in red, with fresh palm fronds in his mouth and a bell in his hand.
A video circulating online showed the former knight sitting on the floor and being questioned at what appeared to be a vigilante office.
During the interrogation, Okoye reportedly explained that he was carrying out a cleansing exercise because, in his view, Nnewi land had been desecrated.
He maintained that he had committed no offence, insisting that his actions were intended to protect the town and promote the wellbeing of its people.
Okoye first gained widespread attention in January during the consecration of the Nnewi Catholic Cathedral, where he publicly protested the alleged non-recognition of Ubah, whom he credited with taking the cathedral’s construction to an advanced stage before his death.
His latest action has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some commentators questioning his state of mind, while others have urged caution against making unverified assumptions about his mental health.
