Justice Jude Obiora of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced controversial native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, to 11 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges filed against him by the Anambra State Government.
The conviction followed proceedings on Friday, February 27, at the Awka division of the court, where the defendant entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.
Nwangwu was arraigned alongside two other native doctors — Onyebuchi Okocha, widely known as Onyeze Jesus, and Ekene Igboekweze, also called Eke Hit — under separate suit numbers A/40C/2025, A/41C/2025 and A/42C/2025.
The state government accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit felony, including kidnapping-related offences, fraudulent activities through alleged supernatural claims, promotion of controversial “Oke Ite” ritual practices, and violations of the Anambra Homeland Security Law introduced under Governor Chukwuma Soludo to combat criminal activities allegedly linked to ritual practices.
READ ALSO: Medical doctor jailed two years for stealing hospital beds in Akwa Ibom
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the court convicted Nwangwu on counts three, four, five, six, seven and eight, while counts one, two, nine and ten were struck out.
Justice Obiora noted that the defendant had already spent 13 months in custody before sentencing and subsequently ordered that he serve the remaining 11-month jail term at the Awka Correctional Centre.
The cumulative N60 million fine earlier awarded to the Anambra State Government was also waived.
As part of additional conditions attached to the judgment, the court directed the demolition of the Oba shrine associated with the convict and barred him permanently from practising or administering Oke Ite charms.
The court further ordered that upon completion of his sentence, Nwangwu must publicly renounce the controversial ritual practices.
In addition, he was appointed an ambassador for youth re-orientation and entrepreneurship programmes, a role he is expected to undertake on a monthly basis after serving his prison term.
Counsel to the defendant, Sylvester Iwuoba, described the judgment as a reflection of the agreement reached between both parties, assuring that his client would comply fully with the conditions outlined by the court.