Anambra native doctor Akwaokuko sentenced to 12 years imprisonment
By Jeffrey Agbo
An Anambra State High Court in Awka has sentenced detained native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, widely known as Akwaokuko Tiwara Aki, to 12 years in prison.
Justice Jude Obiora convicted Nwangwu on counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, handing him two years’ imprisonment on each count. Counts 1, 2, 9, and 10 were struck out by the court.
Justice Obiora ruled that the sentences will run concurrently. He explained 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.
In the judgment, the court ordered that Nwangwu’s controversial shrine located in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, be completely demolished, with the process recorded on video.
The court further directed him to sign an undertaking not to engage in Okite practices again. After completing his jail term, he is also to serve as a youth ambassador to correct the impression he created among young people about acquiring wealth through illegal means.
He was additionally ordered to use all his social media platforms to notify the public that he no longer practises Okite.
The judge stated that he initially considered imposing fines of N20 million each on three additional counts instead of the six-year prison terms prescribed by law, but decided to waive the fines after observing Nwangwu’s remorse during detention.
Although defence counsel urged the court to allow Nwangwu serve his sentence at the Agunechemba facility, Justice Obiora ruled that the sentence must be served at the Awka Correctional Centre, noting that the Agunechemba facility lacks proper correctional infrastructure.
Meanwhile, two of his associates — Onyebuchi Okocha, also known as Onyeze Jesus, and Ekene Igboekweze, popularly called Eke Hit — remain in detention.
