Soludo grants pardon to imprisoned native doctor, makes him youth ambassador
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The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has pardoned a well-known native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as "Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki."
Soludo signed an order for his immediate release on Friday and committed to working with him for the betterment of Anambra State.
Nwangwu was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment under a plea bargain at the Awka High Court, after pleading guilty to charges relating to the practice of "Okeite" and other related offences. The court also ordered the demolition of his shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.
He was one of eight native doctors arrested in 2025 following the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025. He was charged with promoting money rituals and quick wealth, as well as using human body parts for ritual purposes.
He was subsequently sentenced to 11 months in prison and held at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Amawbia, Anambra State. As conditions of his sentence, he was required to renounce his fetish practices and pledge to serve as an ambassador for youth reformation.
Nwangwu accepted these conditions and remained in custody until Soludo pardoned him under the prerogative of mercy and appointed him Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the governor made the announcement during an official visit to the prison.
Omenugha said, "Thank you, Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for graciously extending your hand of mercy to Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) and giving him a new responsibility as Ambassador for Youth Reformation.
"This is the heart of Youth Reformation: not just punishment, but correction, restoration, a new purpose and a new Onye Anambra."
