Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to convicted native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, bringing his remaining prison term to an end and clearing the way for him to take up a youth reformation role earlier imposed as part of his sentence.
Soludo announced the pardon on Friday during a visit to the Correctional Centre in Amawbia, Anambra State. The governor also inspected the custodial facility at Waterside, Onitsha, as part of the exercise.
Nwangwu was convicted earlier this year by an Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka following proceedings arising from the state government’s crackdown on practices it said were connected with fraudulent wealth claims, “Oke Ite” rituals and activities allegedly capable of encouraging criminality among young people.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Jude Obiora, imposed a two-year custodial sentence, but took into account the period Nwangwu had already spent in custody, leaving him with about 11 months to serve at the Awka Correctional Centre.
The conviction followed a plea-bargain arrangement with the Anambra State Government. His defence counsel subsequently said the agreement had been voluntarily reached with the prosecution and that there was no intention to appeal the judgment.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered the destruction of Nwangwu’s shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, prohibited him from continuing the practice or administration of “Oke Ite” charms, and directed him to publicly renounce such practices. The shrine was subsequently demolished by state operatives.
Significantly, the requirement that Nwangwu serve as an ambassador for youth reorientation was already part of the court’s February judgment. The court directed that, after his custodial sentence, he should participate in efforts aimed at discouraging young people from ritual practices and other purported shortcuts to wealth.
The latest pardon therefore shortens his custodial punishment while allowing that rehabilitative aspect of the judgment to proceed.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, welcomed the development, describing it as an example of an approach to criminal justice that combines punishment with correction and reintegration.
“Thank you, Mr Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for graciously extending your hand of mercy to Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) and giving him a new responsibility as Ambassador for Youth Reformation,” Omenugha said.
“This is the heart of Youth Reformation: not just punishment, but correction, restoration, a new purpose and A New Onye Anambra.”
The pardon comes against the backdrop of the Soludo administration’s broader campaign for what it describes as “value reformation” in Anambra. The state government has said its approach combines legislation, public enlightenment and enforcement against practices prohibited by the Anambra Homeland Security Law. Anambra’s Ministry of Information and Value Reformation has specifically cited the earlier conviction of Akwa Okuko as part of that campaign.
Nwangwu’s arrest and prosecution were among the most prominent cases arising from the state government’s clampdown on native doctors accused of promoting purported money-making rituals and charms allegedly associated with criminal activity.