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Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to controversial native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, following his conviction and imprisonment.
Soludo announced the pardon on Friday during an inspection visit to the Correctional Centre in Amawbia, where he also addressed issues concerning the welfare and wellbeing of inmates.
Nwangwu had been convicted and sentenced to two years in prison by the High Court sitting in Awka following his arrest by the Anambra State Government.
However, the court ruled that part of his sentence should run concurrently with the period he had already spent in custody, leaving him with 11 months to serve.
As part of the court’s directives, Nwangwu was also expected to take up a youth reorientation role after completing his sentence, renounce Oke-ite and related charm practices, and publicly discourage such activities.
The court had further ordered the demolition of his shrine.
Announcing the pardon, Soludo said the exercise was broader than granting clemency to individual inmates, stressing the importance of ensuring that people in custody receive appropriate care and support.
The governor also inspected the custodial facility at Waterside, Onitsha, as part of his assessment of correctional facilities in the state.
Nwangwu was arrested over allegations relating to fetish practices and the preparation of charms reportedly intended for youths for financial purposes, among other charges.
His case formed part of the Anambra State Government’s broader crackdown on activities it said were linked to criminality and fraudulent practices in the state.
With the pardon, the native doctor is expected to take on the role prescribed for him under the court’s directives, including youth reorientation and publicly speaking against the practices he was previously associated with.
