By Ovat Abeng
The Anambra High Court sitting at Awka, on Friday sentenced Mr Chigozie Nwangwu popular known as “Akwa- Okuko Tiwalu Aku” to eleven months imprisonment.
The social media–famous native doctor appeared before Justice Jude Obiora, a development that follows months of legal proceedings after his arrest in February 2025 by the state’s specialized security outfit, Agunechemba.
Recall that Nwangwu, along with two other native doctors—Onyebuchi Okocha (alias Onyeze Jesus) and Ekene Igboekweze (alias Eke Hit)—was arraigned under suit numbers A/40C/2025, A/41C/2025, and A/42C/2025.
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The government’s case against the defendants includes conspiracy to commit felony, specifically kidnapping; obtaining by fraud through claims of supernatural powers; promoting “Oke Ite” rituals, which the state alleges involve the fortification of criminals and the use of ritual objects for illicit purposes; and violation of the Anambra Homeland Security Law enacted by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to curb the activities of native doctors who allegedly provide “spiritual cover” for kidnappers and gunmen.
Following the plea bargain agreement between the parties, the court convicted him on counts three, four, five, six, seven, and eight, while counts one, two, nine, and ten against him were struck out by the court.
Having been in custody for thirteen months, the judge ordered that he be remanded to serve the remaining eleven months’ imprisonment at the Awka Correctional Center, while the cumulative sixty million naira fine awarded to the state government was also waived.
Apart from being made an ambassador for youth re-orientation and entrepreneurship on a monthly basis, his Oba shrine will be destroyed, as he will no longer practice Oke Ite or administer such charms.
Upon completion of his imprisonment, he will make a public statement denouncing Oke Ite and such charm practices.
Reacting to the judgement against his client, the defence Council, Syllables Ogwuedom Iwuoba Esq, described it as a please-bargain judgement adding that they had entered into an agreement with the Anambra state government.
“Yes there is no way that I will tell you that I am not ok with it because it is a plea-bargain agreement.”
“That was the agreement we signed with the Government when we agreed on the issue of plea bargain and the Government kept it’s to there own side by sentencing him eleven months imprisonment and that is our agreement with the Government.”
“How would that be a room for appeal when we consented to it ?”
“We made a bargain with them so it is as more as sentenced judgement so we agree to and there is no need of going for an appeal,” he explained.
