Anambra: Soludo pardons jailed native doctor, hands him appointment

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and appointed him Ambassador for Youth Reformation in the state.

Soludo signed an order for Nwangwu’s immediate release on Friday and pledged to work with him towards the betterment of Anambra State.

The development followed Nwangwu’s conviction earlier this year after he pleaded guilty to charges relating to the practice of “Okeite” and other related matters.

Nwangwu’s conviction and sentence

Nwangwu was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months in prison following a plea bargain at the Awka High Court.

The court also ordered the destruction of his shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He was among eight native doctors arrested in 2025 following the passage of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025. He was charged with involvement in the promotion of money rituals, quick wealth and the use of human parts for rituals.

Following his conviction, Nwangwu was incarcerated at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Amawbia, Anambra State, where he began serving his 11-month sentence.

As part of the conditions attached to his sentence, he was required to renounce his fetish practice and commit to becoming an ambassador for youth reformation.

Nwangwu accepted the conditions and had been serving his prison term before Soludo exercised his prerogative of mercy to secure his release.

Pardon and new responsibility

The governor subsequently appointed Nwangwu as Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State, giving him a new role under the state’s youth reformation programme.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

According to Omenugha, Soludo had visited the correctional facility as part of his official duties when he announced the pardon and the new responsibility for Nwangwu.

The appointment means Nwangwu will now be associated with the state government’s efforts to promote youth reformation and discourage activities that could negatively affect young people.

Omenugha described the governor’s intervention as an example of an approach that combines accountability with opportunities for correction and reintegration.

“This is the heart of Youth Reformation: not just punishment, but correction, restoration, a new purpose and a new Onye Anambra,” Omenugha said.

Governor pledges collaboration

Omenugha also thanked Soludo for extending what he described as a hand of mercy to Nwangwu and giving him a new responsibility.

“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,” he said.

The governor, according to the statement, also pledged to work with Nwangwu for the betterment of Anambra State following his release.

The development marks a change in Nwangwu’s status from an inmate serving a sentence over offences linked to the practice of Okeite and related activities to a figure being assigned a public-facing role in the state’s youth reformation efforts.

Nwangwu’s case had attracted public attention following his arrest alongside other native doctors in 2025. The arrests came after the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, which formed part of the state’s measures against activities linked to ritual practices and quick-wealth schemes.

With the governor’s pardon and his appointment as Ambassador for Youth Reformation, Nwangwu is expected to use his new position to support the state’s efforts to influence young people towards constructive and productive activities.