Anambra State authorities on Wednesday began demolishing the shrine of convicted native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, known as Akwa Okuko, following a court order after his sentencing to two years in prison for aiding kidnapping and money rituals, in a move hailed by locals as “no mercy for evil.”
The destruction targeted the Oba-based facility where Nwangwu allegedly produced charms and conducted “Oke-Ite” rites, as confirmed SSA to Gov Soludo, Adichie Izuchukwu.
“NO MERCY FOR EVIL: Following his 11-month sentence and court order, Anambra state government moves in! The Oba shrine where Akwa Okuku Tiwaraki produced charms and Oke-Ite is currently being destroyed. No mercy for evil,” Izuchukwu posted on social media.
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Nwangwu, arrested in February 2025 alongside two others, entered a plea bargain leading to his conviction on six counts under the Criminal Code and Anambra Homeland Law. Justice Jude Obiorah noted the accused’s remorse in the ruling: “The judgment reflects the remorse shown by the accused.”
Nwangwu was among three native doctors picked up at the time. The other two — Mr Okocha, popularly called Onyeze Jesus, and Mr Ekene, also known as Eke Hit — are still standing trial and remain in Agunechemba’s custody.
His own case, however, took a different turn after he entered a plea bargain with the state government, an arrangement Justice Obiorah said was taken into consideration during sentencing.
“The judgment reflects the remorse shown by the accused,” the judge said while reading his ruling.
Nwangwu was convicted on counts three, four, five, six, seven and eight, with counts one, two and three struck out. The two-year sentence on all surviving counts will run concurrently. Justice Obiorah grounded the conviction in both the Criminal Code and the Anambra Homeland Law, noting that the law prescribes two years imprisonment for anyone who falsely claims powers to heal or generate wealth through mystical means such as Okeite, while the practice of Okeite or Ezenwanyi itself attracts up to six years.
The court also slapped fines of N20 million each on counts one, five and eight — a combined N60 million — but waived the entire sum in light of the accused’s show of remorse. “Such money in such circumstance is not needed by the state,” the judge stated.
With 13 months already spent in detention since his arrest, Nwangwu will now serve the remaining 11 months at the Awka Correctional Centre. His counsel had pushed for him to remain in the Agunechemba facility, but Justice Obiorah dismissed that plea, noting that Agunechemba does not qualify as a correctional centre under the law.
Beyond the custodial sentence, the court attached a series of conditions to his release. His shrine in Oba is to be demolished, and upon regaining his freedom, he is permanently barred from practising Okeite. He must also publicly denounce the practice in a recorded video statement.
In an unusual twist, the court directed that Nwangwu be made an ambassador for youth reorientation, with a specific mandate to publicly warn young people against pursuing wealth through supernatural means.
