A popular Anambra native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, also known as Akwa Okuko, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment following his conviction on multiple charges.

Nwangwu was arrested in February 2025 by operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit over allegations bordering on aiding and abetting kidnapping and involvement in money rituals. He was arrested alongside two colleagues — Mr Okocha, also known as Onyeze Jesus, and Mr Ekene, popularly called Eke Hit.

While all three have been undergoing trial in detention, judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Jude Obiorah after Nwangwu pleaded guilty to the charges and entered into a plea bargain with the Anambra State Government.

Delivering judgment, Justice Obiorah noted that the defendant had shown reasonable remorse, which influenced the court’s decision. He sentenced Nwangwu to two years imprisonment on counts three, four, five, six, seven, and eight. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court, however, struck out counts one, two, and three of the charges against him. The conviction was based on provisions of both the Criminal Code and the Anambra Homeland Law.

Justice Obiorah stated that under the law, anyone who claims to possess supernatural powers to heal or make individuals wealthy through magical means such as “Okeite” is liable to two years imprisonment. He further noted that practicing “Okeite” or “Ezenwanyi” in the state attracts up to six years imprisonment.

In addition to the prison term, the court imposed fines of N20 million each on counts one, five, and eight, bringing the total fine to N60 million. However, the judge waived the fine, citing the defendant’s remorse.

“The total fine sums up to N60 million, but because of the remorse shown by the accused, the fine is now waived as such money in such circumstance is not needed by the state,” the judge ruled.

The court also ordered that the 13 months already spent in detention be deducted from his sentence, meaning he will serve the remaining 11 months at the Awka Correctional Centre. The judge rejected a plea by his counsel for him to serve the sentence at the Agunechemba facility, stating that it is not a recognized correctional centre.

As part of additional directives, the court ordered the destruction of Nwangwu’s shrine located in Oba. The judge further ruled that upon release, he must cease practicing Okeite and publicly denounce it in a recorded video statement.

He was also appointed an ambassador for youth reorientation and mandated to publicly caution young people against seeking wealth through supernatural means.

The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly in Anambra State, where authorities have intensified efforts to clamp down on criminal activities linked to ritual practices and fraudulent spiritual claims.