James Ubeh is one of three ambitious individuals, who, lured by the irresistible allure of rapid wealth, ventured into the heart of darkness—daring to negotiate with death itself.
In their desperate quest for riches, they turned to the perilous and forbidden path of Okite ritualism, hoping to bend fate to their will. Under the ominous direction of the chief priest, they dug shallow graves and were buried alive for an hour—an unholy rite believed to summon fortune from the depths of the unknown.
But fate, as cruel as ever, had other plans. One of them ran out of luck and perished in the process, his life claimed by the very forces they had sought to manipulate.
The remaining two, undeterred, pressed on with the final rituals, only to discover that their hopes had been built on nothing but illusion and deceit.
For Ubeh, life after the ritual became a slow descent into despair. Instead of the promised wealth and power, he found himself ensnared in cocoons of misfortune.
Haunted by the spectre of his choices, he wandered in search of redemption, seeking deliverance from pastors who could help him reclaim his sanity and soul.
With a trembling voice and a heavy heart, he recounted his ordeal to Saturday PUNCH.
“Approximately five years ago, I made a decision that could have cost me my life if not for God. I come from a family of five—three sisters, my elder brother, and myself.
“I used to manage a small stall at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, but my aspirations pushed me to yearn for something greater. I am from Anambra State, and though my brother is wealthy, he never cared for me.
“He flaunted his riches, and most people, upon hearing my story, wouldn’t believe that I have a very rich brother working with Chevron. The intimidation was overwhelming. While I barely had enough to eat, my brother lived in abundance and built houses. This didn’t sit right with me, and I suspected something wasn’t right.”
The 27-year-old gradually grew distant from his brother, convinced that his wealth was tied to dark powers.
Fearful that his own life might be in danger, he decided to seek protection and, more importantly, to secure wealth for himself through any means necessary.
“My mind was made up. I searched for a powerful native doctor, “ he said. “After several inquiries, I found one in Ojo-Nibe, Kogi State, and travelled to meet him. We discussed my fears extensively, and he reassured me, setting a date for the rituals.”
On the fateful day, Ubeh discovered he was not alone. Two others had also come seeking fortune, but tragically, only two of them would leave the shrine alive.
He recounted, “When I first met the native doctor, he gave me a list of items to bring—some I provided, others I had to pay for, including a black ram and a wooden casket. He never told me what the casket was meant for—until that night.
“The rituals lasted two days. On the first day, after enduring painful incisions and consuming strange concoctions, we were instructed to dig three shallow graves—our own graves.
“The priest announced that we would be buried alive for one hour, explaining that it is a test of endurance meant to symbolise a struggle with the earth and an emergence with newfound strength.
