An Anambra State High Court has convicted and sentenced a popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, widely known as Akwa Okuko, to two years imprisonment, ordering that his shrine in Oba be demolished.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Jude Obiorah after the defendant pleaded guilty to multiple charges and entered into a plea bargain with the state government.
The court held that his conviction was based on provisions of the Criminal Code and the Anambra Homeland Law.
Akwa Okuko was arrested in February 2025 by operatives of the Agunechemba Security outfit over allegations bordering on aiding and abetting kidnapping and involvement in money ritual activities.
He was arrested alongside two other native doctors, Okocha, popularly known as Onyeze Jesus, and Ekene, also called Eke Hit.
During the proceedings, Justice Obiorah recalled that the defendant had earlier admitted to the charges and shown remorse.
The court consequently sentenced him to two years imprisonment on counts three, four, five, six, seven and eight, with the terms to run concurrently.
The judge struck out some counts but imposed a fine of N20 million each on counts one, five and eight, bringing the total to N60 million. However, he ruled that the fine was waived in view of the remorse shown by the convict.
According to the court, “Under the law, anyone who claims to possess powers to heal or make one rich through certain magical means like Okeite is liable to two years imprisonment. Any person in the state who practices Okeite or ezenwanyi is liable to six years in prison.”
Justice Obiorah ordered that the 13 months already spent in detention be deducted from the sentence, meaning the convict will serve the remaining 11 months at the Awka Correctional Centre.
The court declined the plea by his counsel for him to serve his term at the Agunechemba facility, stating that it is not a correctional centre.
In addition, the court directed that his shrine in Oba be destroyed. It further barred him from practising Okeite upon release and mandated him to make a public video statement denouncing the practice.
The court also appointed him as an ambassador for youth reorientation, directing that he must publicly caution young people against seeking wealth through supernatural means.
