By Vincent Ujumadu

An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced detained native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwaokuko Tiwara Aki, to 12 years imprisonment.

The presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora, found Nwangwu guilty on counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, sentencing him to two years on each count. The court, however, struck out counts 1, 2, 9, and 10.

Justice Obiora ruled that the sentences will run concurrently. He noted that since Nwangwu had already spent 13 months in detention at the Agunechemba facility in Awka, he would serve only 11 months at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Awka.

Shrine to be destroyed, social reformation ordered

According to the judgment, Nwangwu’s controversial shrine located in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, is to be completely destroyed, with the demolition recorded on video.

The court also ordered that he must sign an undertaking not to engage in okite practices again and, after serving his sentence, become a youth ambassador to correct the impression he created among young people about acquiring wealth through illegal means.

He was further directed to use all his social media platforms to inform the public that he no longer practises okite.

Fines waived over remorse

The judge stated that he initially opted to impose fines of N20 million each on three additional counts in lieu of six-year prison terms prescribed by law but decided to waive the fines after observing Nwangwu’s remorse during detention.

Although defence counsel requested that Nwangwu serve his sentence at the Agunechemba facility, the court ruled that the sentence must be served at the Awka Correctional Centre, noting that the Agunechemba facility lacks proper correctional infrastructure.

Meanwhile, two of his associates — Onyebuchi Okocha, also known as Onyeze Jesus, and Ekene Igboekweze, popularly called Eke Hit — remain in detention.