BY CHUKS COLLINS, AWKA
AN Anambra State High Court, on Friday, February 27, sentenced flamboyant and controversial Oba, Idemili South Local Council-based native doctor, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, also known as Akwa okuko tiwara aki, to 11 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to all three charges preferred against him by the state government.
Justice Jude Obiora found Nwangwu guilty on counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, sentencing him to two years on each count.
The court, however, struck out counts 1, 2, 9 and 10.
Justice Obiora ruled that the sentences will run concurrently, noting that since Nwangwu had already spent 13 months in detention at the Agunechemba facility in Awka, he would serve only 11 months at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Awka.
He was further directed to use all his social media platforms to inform the public that he no longer practices ‘Okite.’
The Judge stated that he initially opted to impose fines of N20million each on three additional counts, in lieu of six-year prison terms prescribed by law, but decided to waive the fines after observing Nwangwu’s remorse during detention.
Defence Counsel pleaded that Nwangwu be allowed to serve his sentence at the Agunechemba facility, but the court ruled that the sentence must be served at the Awka Correctional Centre, saying Agunechemba facility lacks proper correctional infrastructure.
Nwangwu, alongside other alleged notorious and infamous native doctors, including Eke Hit and Onyeze Jisos, were brought charged to court by the state government for money ritual practices, alleged involvement in activities linked to the acquisition of wealth through ritual means and money rituals sacrifice/practice, among other charges.
He was also accused of making talismans believed to be used by kidnappers and armed robbers, as well as aiding criminal elements through charms and other related means.
The court, in its judgement, held that the native doctor admitted to engaging in money ritual practices and preparing protective charms for criminals.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court also ordered that Nwangwu’s “Oba Shrine” be destroyed and directed that he must cease and stop all forms of ‘Okeite’ practice and refrain from administering such charms in the future.
The court ruled that upon completion of his jail term at the Awka Correctional Centre, Nwangwu must publicly denounce ‘Okeite’ and similar charm practices and also mandated to serve as an ambassador for youth re-orientation as part of efforts to discourage young people from engaging in ritual-related activities.
