Soludo pardons jailed native doctor, appoints him youth ambassador - Punch Newspapers

Governor Chukuma Soludo shakes hands with Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki shortly after signing the papers for his release at the Awka Correctional Centre. Credit: Anambra State Government

The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to a popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki”. Soludo signed an order for his immediate release on Friday and pledged to work with him for the betterment of Anambra State. Nwangwu was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months in prison following a plea bargain at the Awka High Court after pleading guilty to charges related to the practice of “Okeite” and other related matters. The court had also ordered the destruction of his shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the 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. Police foil kidnap attempt in Anambra, arrest seven suspects Anambra debt row: Obidient coordinator shares Obi’s 2014 handover report Morning recap: NLC demands action on N1,500/litre petrol, endless anguish on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, other top stories He was later handed an 11-month prison sentence and incarcerated at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Amawbia, Anambra State. He was also given the condition of renouncing his fetish practice and promising to become an ambassador for youth reformation. Nwangwu accepted the conditions and had been serving his prison term until Soludo pardoned him under the prerogative of mercy, making 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, saying the governor had visited the prison in fulfilment of his duties when he made the announcement. 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.” Ikenna Obianeri Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism

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