Court Sentences Popular Anambra Herbalist Akwa Okuko Aki To 11 Months Jail
Court Sentences Popular Anambra Herbalist Akwa Okuko Aki To 11 Months Jail
The judgment, delivered by Justice Jude Obiora, followed a plea bargain agreement between the defendant and the Anambra State Government.
A High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced controversial celebrity native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, to 11 months imprisonment.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Jude Obiora, followed a plea bargain agreement between the defendant and the Anambra State Government.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the proceedings, counsel to the convicted traditionalist, Sylvester Iwuoba Esq., confirmed that the sentence was the result of a mutual agreement.
“The judgment is a consent judgment through a plea bargain agreement,” Iwuoba stated.
“There is no way I will tell you I am not okay with it because it is a plea bargain agreement. That was agreement we signed with the government when we agreed on issue of plea bargain and the government kept to their own side by sentence him eleven months imprisonment. That is our agreement with them (government) and we don’t have anything against it.”
Iwuoba further clarified that the nature of the judgment leaves no room for further legal challenges.
“Why will there be room for appeal when we consented to the judgment? We made a bargain with them, so it is as well as a consent judgment. We agreed to it; there is no need for an appeal.”
Akwa Okuko’s legal troubles began in February 2025 when he was arrested by operatives of the Anambra State security outfit, Agunechemba, in his hometown of Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.
His arrest followed the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, which imposes strict penalties on native doctors who prepare or administer charms believed to aid criminal activities.
Specifically, Nwangwu was accused of involvement in ‘Oke Ite’ (Big Pot)—a ritual practice allegedly used to fortify youths engaged in kidnapping and other felonies.
At the time of his arraignment in April 2025, he faced charges alongside two other native doctors, Onyebuchi Okocha (a.k.a. Onyeze Jesus) and Ekene Igboekweze (a.k.a. Eke Hit), for alleged conspiracy to commit kidnapping and obtaining by fraud.
The war against native doctors in the state commenced in December 2024 and targeted native doctors providing charms for kidnappers and armed robbers.
Soludo had warned that offenders risk six years in prison, a N20m fine, or both under the newly enacted law.
Nwangwu is popular on social media, particularly Facebook, for allegedly promoting fetish means of making fast money for interested individuals.
The 11-month sentence marks a significant conclusion to a case that sparked widespread debate in Anambra regarding the intersection of traditional religion and state security.
While the new state law allows for up to six years in prison for such offenses, the plea bargain opted for a shorter term, which the defense team has fully accepted as the final resolution of the matter.
