Anambra Demolishes Convicted Native Doctor’s Shrine After Court Ruling

The Anambra State Government on Friday demolished the shrine of native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki”, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, after a High Court ruling in Awka.

Security operatives from Agunechemba carried out the demolition, while Ben Emeakayi, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, supervised the operation.

During the exercise, officials pulled down the structure and removed materials said to be used for ritual activities. Items seen at the location included native pots, clothes, moulded images and pictures. After dismantling the shrine, operatives set the remains on fire.

Earlier the same day, Justice Jude Obiora of the High Court in Awka sentenced Nwangwu to 11 months in prison for offences linked to “oke ite” ritual practices and related counts.

Nwangwu was arrested in February 2025 together with two other native doctors identified as Eke Hit and Onye Eze. Authorities accused the trio of offences tied to “money ritual,” “oke ite,” and preparing charms for criminal operations.

The arrests followed a wider security campaign announced by the state government shortly after Governor Soludo signed the Anambra State Homeland Security law. The law created Agunechemba and Operation Udo-ga-chi as special outfits to tackle violent crime and ritual-linked activities.

According to officials, the crackdown was introduced in response to rising insecurity in parts of the state. They said the intervention has since contributed to a decline in violent incidents.

Court records showed that Nwangwu faced 10 counts. Justice Obiora struck out six counts and upheld four. The court also waived a punishment package earlier tied to six years’ imprisonment and an optional fine of N60 million that would have run concurrently.

Government sources said the demolition was part of implementing the court’s decision and reinforcing the state’s position against ritual practices connected to criminal acts.

The latest action signals that the state intends to continue using legal and security measures to shut down facilities linked to suspected ritual crime, while prosecuting cases through the courts.