Manny Ita –
A State High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced Chukwudozie Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki,” to two years’ imprisonment following his conviction on multiple criminal counts.
Mr Nwangwu was arrested in February 2025 by operatives of Agunechemba, a vigilante group established by the Anambra State Government, over allegations of preparing charms for criminals and engaging in ritual practices. On 25 February 2025, the police filed a 10-count charge against him bordering on ritual practices, robbery, conspiracy, preparing charms for criminals and aiding internet fraud.
During earlier proceedings, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, at Friday’s sitting, he changed his plea to guilty. The trial judge, Justice Jude Obiora, subsequently convicted him on counts three, four, five, six, seven and eight, and struck out counts one, two, nine and ten.
The court sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts. The judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective two-year jail term. Justice Obiora further ruled that the 13 months already spent in detention at the Agunechemba facility in Awka would be counted as part of the sentence, leaving the defendant to serve the remainder of the term at the Awka Correctional Centre under the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The court declined a request by defence counsel that the convict be allowed to serve his sentence at the Agunechemba facility, citing the lack of proper correctional infrastructure at the vigilante centre.
In additional orders, the court directed that Mr Nwangwu’s shrine located in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, be demolished and that the demolition be recorded on video. The court also ordered him to sign an undertaking renouncing further involvement in “Okite” practices and to use his social media platforms to inform the public that he no longer engages in such activities. The judge further directed that upon completion of his sentence, he should serve as a youth ambassador to discourage the pursuit of wealth through illegal or ritual means.
Justice Obiora stated that although the law prescribed six years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦20 million or both for certain offences, he waived the imposition of fines after observing the defendant’s remorse during detention.
The prosecution was instituted under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, signed into law by Governor Charles Soludo in January 2025. The legislation established the Agunechemba vigilante group and criminalised the preparation of charms for criminal activities, ritual sacrifices along roads and practices such as Oke-Ite and Ezenwanyi for wealth acquisition through supernatural means. The law prescribes six years’ imprisonment or a ₦20 million fine, or both, upon conviction.
