|By Chinwendu Nwani
A High Court in Anambra State has sentenced popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, widely known as Akwa Okuko, to two years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges bordering on criminal practices linked to Okeite rituals.
Justice Jude Obiorah delivered the judgment on Friday, convicting Nwangwu on multiple counts after the defendant entered a plea bargain agreement with the Anambra State Government and admitted guilt.
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 apprehended alongside two other native doctors — Mr Okocha, also known as Onyeze Jesus, and Mr Ekene, popularly called Eke Hit. While the trio had been undergoing trial in detention, the court proceeded to deliver judgment in Nwangwu’s case following his guilty plea.
In his ruling, Justice Obiorah sentenced the native doctor to two years imprisonment on counts three, four, five, six, seven and eight. The judge explained that the sentence would run concurrently and was influenced by the defendant’s demonstrated remorse.
The court, however, struck out counts one, two and three. The conviction was anchored on provisions of both the Criminal Code and the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
Justice Obiorah declared that under the law, any individual who claims to possess supernatural powers to heal ailments or make people wealthy through mystical means such as Okeite is liable to two years imprisonment. He added that practicing Okeite or ezenwanyi within the state attracts up to six years jail term.
Although the court imposed fines of N20 million each on counts one, five and eight — totaling N60 million — the judge waived the entire amount, citing the accused’s remorse and stating that such money was not needed by the state under the circumstances.
The court further ruled that the 13 months Nwangwu had already spent in detention would be deducted from his sentence. Consequently, he is to serve the remaining 11 months at the Awka Correctional Centre. The judge rejected the plea by defence counsel for the convict to serve his term at the Agunechemba facility, stressing that it is not a recognized correctional centre.
Beyond the custodial sentence, the court issued strict post-release conditions. Justice Obiorah ordered that Nwangwu’s shrine located in Oba be demolished. He also barred him permanently from practicing Okeite upon release.
The judge mandated that the convict must publicly denounce Okeite in a recorded video statement and accept appointment as an ambassador for youth reorientation. In that capacity, he is required to caution young people against pursuing wealth through supernatural or unlawful means.
The ruling marks a significant enforcement of the Anambra Homeland Security framework aimed at curbing ritual-related crimes and fraudulent spiritual practices across the state.
