Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has granted a pardon to popular native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, following his conviction and imprisonment over ritual and charm-related offences.
Soludo announced the pardon on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a visit to the Correctional Centre in Amawbia, Anambra State. The governor also pledged to work with Nwangwu as part of efforts aimed at youth reformation in the state.
Nwangwu was convicted by the High Court sitting in Awka in February 2026 after entering a plea bargain with the Anambra State Government. The court imposed a cumulative two-year sentence, with part of the sentence running concurrently with the period he had already spent in custody, leaving 11 months to serve.
The court also ordered the demolition of his shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, and directed Nwangwu to renounce Oke-ite and related charm practices. He was further required to publicly discourage such practices and take part in youth reorientation after completing his sentence.
Nwangwu’s case followed his arrest in 2025 as part of the Anambra State Government’s crackdown on activities it said were linked to criminality, fraudulent practices and ritual-related activities.
The court proceedings involved allegations concerning Oke-ite practices and charms reportedly prepared for financial purposes. Nwangwu pleaded guilty to some of the charges under the plea bargain that led to his conviction.
Following the judgment, his shrine in Oba was demolished in accordance with the court order. The court also attached rehabilitation and youth reorientation responsibilities to his eventual release.
With Soludo’s pardon, Nwangwu has now been given the role of Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State. The governor’s Special Adviser on Youth Reformation, Nelson Omenugha, announced the development and described the decision as part of an approach focused on correction, restoration and giving people a new purpose.
Omenugha thanked Soludo for extending clemency to Nwangwu and assigning him the new responsibility, describing the initiative as an effort that goes beyond punishment to include rehabilitation and youth reformation.
The governor’s pardon was announced during an inspection of the Amawbia Correctional Centre, where Soludo also addressed issues concerning the welfare and wellbeing of inmates. He subsequently inspected the custodial facility at Waterside, Onitsha.
Nwangwu’s release marks a new stage in his case, with the former convict expected to take on the youth reformation role attached to the court’s earlier directives while publicly distancing himself from the practices for which he was convicted.
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