Nigerian Born ‘Witchdoctor’ Jailed In US For Aiding Drug Traffickers

A 58-year-old Nigerian-born, but now US naturalised man has
been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern
District of Texas, announced US Attorney John M. Bales on Thursday.

Christopher Omigie, who pleaded guilty on October 28, 2014
to conspiracy to distribute cocaine was sentenced to 168 months in federal
prison 30 April by US District Judge Marcia A. Crone.

According to information presented in court, Omigie, based
in Lafayette, Los Angeles, presented himself to drug traffickers as a witch
doctor and was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide supernatural
protection from law enforcement.

Omigie was consulted by drug traffickers in the Cesar
Barrera and David Bazan drug trafficking organisations on a daily basis and
before, during and after each drug transaction.

The supernatural protections rendered involved card
readings, massages (by Omigie) with magic ointments, cutting of the skin with
razor blades and the topical application of magic powder, the use of magic
amulets, magic belts, magic coconuts and magic rocks (that those being treated
were required to talk to).

Drug traffickers were required by Omigie to go without
bathing and intercourse for a period of time following magic treatments so as
not to diminish the potency of those ministrations. Magic “law stay away”
candles were also burned in order to protect drug traffickers from law
enforcement detection. Omigie would regularly return to Africa, at drug
traffickers’ expense, to renew his supernatural powers.

Omigie was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 5,
2013.

Cesar Barrera and David Bazan have since both pleaded guilty
to schemes involving the trafficking of more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine
each.

This case was investigated by the US Drug Enforcement
Administration and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and
prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney John Craft.