Controversial Anambra-based native doctor, Mr. Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment following his guilty plea to charges bordering on money ritual practices and related offences.
Nwangwu was arrested in February 2025 by operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit over allegations of aiding and abetting kidnapping and engaging in money rituals. He was arrested alongside two other native doctors — Mr. Okocha, also known as Onyeze Jesus, and Mr. Ekene, popularly called Eke Hit — who are still undergoing trial.
Delivering judgment on Friday in suits numbered A/40C/2025, A/41C/2025, and A/42C/2025, Justice Jude Obiorah said the conviction followed Nwangwu’s decision to plead guilty and enter into a plea bargain with the Anambra State Government.
Justice Obiorah sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment on counts three, four, five, six, seven and eight, ruling that the sentences would run concurrently.
Explaining the legal basis of the conviction, the judge stated: “Under the law, anyone who claims to possess powers to heal or make one rich through certain magical means like Okeite is liable to two years’ imprisonment.
“Any person in the state who practices Okeite or ezenwanyi is liable to six years in prison.”
The court struck out counts one, two and three, noting that the conviction was secured under both the Criminal Code and the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
On counts one, five and eight, the court initially imposed fines of N20 million each, bringing the total to N60 million. However, Justice Obiorah said the fine was waived in consideration of the defendant’s remorse.
“The total fine sums up to N60 million, but because of the remorse shown by the accused, the fine is now waived as such money in such circumstance is not needed by the state,” the judge ruled.
The court further ordered that the 13 months Nwangwu had already spent in detention be deducted from his sentence. He is to serve the remaining 11 months at the Awka Correctional Centre.
Rejecting a plea by defence counsel for the sentence to be served at the Agunechemba facility, the judge held that “the Agunechemba facility does not have correctional facilities.”
In addition to the prison term, the court issued strict post-release conditions. Justice Obiorah ordered that Nwangwu’s shrine located in Oba be demolished.
“The shrine of the defendant in Oba shall be destroyed. He shall, from the date of release, no longer practice Okeite and must make a public statement denouncing it. The statement shall be recorded in video,” the judge directed.
He added that Nwangwu would serve as an ambassador for youth reorientation, cautioning young people against seeking wealth through supernatural means.
“He will be made ambassador of youth reorientation and must make a public statement cautioning youths against seeking wealth through supernatural means,” Justice Obiorah said.
