Soludo pardons jailed native doctor, gives him appointment

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has granted a pardon to a popular native doctor in the state, Chukwudozie Nwangwu.

Mr Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki,” was arrested in February 2025 and,  subsequently sentenced to two years imprisonment in February this year for charges related to preparation of charms for criminals.

The court later ordered that his two year-jail term would include 13 months he had been in prison which reduced the jail term to 11 months.

Like Mr Nwangu, at least seven other native doctors were also arrested and are currently being prosecuted.

Pardon and appointment

Nelson Omenugha, the special adviser to Mr Soludo on Youth Reformation, in a statement on Friday said the governor visited the prison facility in fulfilment of his duties when he made the announcement.

Mr Omenugha also said the governor, further appointed the convict as an ambassador for youth reformation.

“This is the heart of Youth Reformation: not just punishment, but correction, restoration, a new purpose and a new Onye Anambra,” the aide said.

Video clip

Meanwhile, Mr Soludo was seen in a viral video clips while on a visit to the prison facility, flanked by top government officials and prison authorities.

In another clip, Mr Soludo was seen asking Mr Nwangwu when his jail term would be due and subsequently informed the native doctor that he would be leaving the facility with him.

Turning to a prison official, the governor said: “I will sign the documents for his release now.”

The clip showed him signing the documents.

“Now, let’s get to work. The work of developing Anambra, we will be doing together,” Mr Soludo told Mr Nwangu in a veiled reference to his appointment.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the conviction of native doctor followed Governor Soludo’s signing of the Anambra State Homeland Security Bill into law in January 2025.

The law, aside from creating the Agunechemba vigilante group, equally banned the making of charms for the commission of crime and the performing of sacrifices along the road in the state.

It was targeted at native doctors who prepare charms for criminals terrorising residents of the South-eastern state.

The legislation equally outlawed the practice of Oke-Ite and Ezenwanyi for the purpose of wealth accumulation through supernatural means.

“Okite” is an Igbo phrase for a big pot used for ritual practices.

“Ezenwanyi,” on the other hand, is an Igbo phrase for a female spiritualist.

The Anambra State Homeland Security law 2025 also imposes six years imprisonment or N20 million or both on defaulters upon conviction.

The legislation seeks to check growing insecurity in the state.