• Lawyer faults arrest

Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led Anambra State government has arrested and detained a popular native doctor in the state, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki.

In a video of his arrest sighted on social media,  Akwa Okuko was first taken to the office of the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim, where he was interrogated before he was forced into a waiting police van and taken away for detention.

While being interrogated by the Deputy Governor, Akwa Okuko said he stopped practising and preparing charm, and rituals popularly known as “Okeite” for his customers since the state government declared war against native doctors in the state.

Chief Chidozie Nwangwu, also known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki being interrogated by Anambra Deputy Gov. Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim.

Governor Soludo had during a function in the state in December 2024, declared war on native doctors following the increasing criminalities in the state.

The governor’s declaration of the war against native doctors in the state generated panic and controversy among the native and traditional doctors across the state.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Law Mefor, later said that Soludo only declared war on “fake” and “devilish” native doctors involved in criminalities such as preparing charms for kidnappers and gunmen.

However, implementation of the governor’s declaration across the state has been intensified.

Interrogated by the Deputy Governor over a video of him said to be making the rounds on social media, Akwa Okuko said, “It is not my page that posted the video.”

Asked if he knows about the law banning native doctor practice in the state, he said, “I heard about the law and since when I heard about it, I have stopped it.

“Go to my page (social media page), you will not see anything like that. Since I heard about no ‘Okeite,’ I just stopped it.”

He however said that the ‘Okeite’ is just a name they gave the ritual aspect of their practice.

“That ‘Okeite,’ we are the ones that just gave it that name. ‘Okeite’ is just a name. It is the same ritual, just that that is always inside pots.”

Ibezim said the government will push further on his case, take him to the places where he practises his work and that he must provide evidence justifying he no longer practices as a native doctor.

Ibezim said, “We want to see those things. We want to see where you do these things, and the evidence of what you are doing in your shop.

“That is what the law says, and failure to get all these things, of course you know the consequences. We will investigate him further.”

Akwa Okuko was thereafter forced into a security van following his attempt to ride in his car.

Meanwhile,  a legal practitioner, Bar. Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has criticized the Anambra State Government for detaining Chief Nwangwu.

Ejiofor stated that the arrest was a clear violation of Akwa Okuko’s fundamental rights to freedom of worship and expression as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Ejiofor’s statement emphasized that the arrest breaches Sections 38, 39, and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression.

“By unlawfully detaining Chief Chidozie Nwangwu based on his religious and personal declarations – whether actual or perceived – the Anambra State Government has blatantly violated these constitutional rights,” Ejiofor said in a statement he issued on Sunday.