By Suleiman Anyalewechi
A Legal Practitioner and former member of the legal team of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Sunday, February 9, 2025 condemned the arrest of Anambra flamboyant native doctor, Chief Chidozie Nwangwu, popular as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki.(egg that broke palm kennel).
The Source reports that the Oba Idemili South Local Government born self- acclaimed spiritualist and traditional medicine expert, was, on Saturday night, arrested by Security Operatives on the orders of the Anambra Government.
It will be recalled that the state Government worried about the alleged roles being played by some traditional medicine practitioners, particularly in preparing charms and other fortification devices for fraudsters, kidnappers and other criminal elements, and had recently moved to regulate their operations through the enactment of Homeland Security Law 2025.
The State Government said such strict regulation will assist in identifying those engaged in genuine practices and others aiding and abetting criminal activities in the State.
Chief Nwangwu well known both for his flamboyant life style and claims of fortifying his clients, mostly youths for successful endeavours in life, was, on Saturday night, apprehended by the Anambra State Security outfit “Agunechemba”. The State Deputy Governor led the exercise.
In a viral video posted online, Chief Nwangwu was said to have been arrested in his home at the Local Council of Idemili South ,and is presently being detained.
According to the post, the State authorities are insisting on carrying a comprehensive inquest into the activities and operational ethos of the man.
The Source further reports that when questioned by the State Deputy Governor on his claims of preparing the “Okeite Rituals” for youths and others, Chief Nwangwu categorically denied such claims.
The denial of the claim that has made him both popular and notorious was said to have prompted the Deputy Governor to insist that he will be arrested and detained until the authorities thoroughly investigate his activities.
The Anambra State Government, strongly believes that Akwa Okuko and other native doctors have been allegedly preparing charms and other native medicines for hoodlums terrorizing the State.
But in a statement issued on Sunday, February 9, 2025, Sir Ejiofor described Chief Nwangwu’s arrest as a gross violation of his fundamental human rights to freedom of religion.
He insisted that the action of the State Government amounts to abuse of power for unmerited political gains.
The former IPOB Counsel, also, expressed serious concern about the tendencies of the State authorities towards converting the newly formed security outfit into instrument for the settlement of political scores .
“It is deeply concerning that Chief Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, has been unlawfully arrested by the Anambra State Government.
“The egregious act not only tramples on his fundamental rights, but also raises questions about the abuse of State power for political or personal vendetta.
“A few weeks after the establishment of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, I expressed concerns about the potential misuse of the outfit for settling political scores — concerns that unfortunately are now being debated
“Since news of Akwa Okuko’s arrest broke, my phones have been flooded with calls and messages from concerned individuals all questioning the legality of his detention.
“Upon further inquiry, I learned that he was invited for a meeting with the Deputy Governor of Anambra State who personally called him.
“However, rather than a routine engagement, this invitation appears to have been a trap – one that has now led to his unjust detention.
“The crux of the matter lies in a trending undated video in which Akwa Okuko allegedly spoke on preparing a substance called “Okeite”.
“Notably, I was made to understand that this video was neither released on his official platforms nor promoted by him
However, even if we assume, without conceding, that he made such statements, the fundamental question remains: what crime has he committed ?”. Ejiofor stated
According to the human rights lawyer sections 38,39, and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provide clear, extensive, and unequivocal protections for every citizen’s freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression.
“These rights are sacrosanct and cannot be arbitrarily trampled upon by any Government authority or local laws.
“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 noted.
Exonerating Akwa Okuko from allegations of preparing charms and engaging in “Okeite” rituals, Ejiofor informed that Nwangwu has always been avoiding dealing with those without any visible means of livelihood.
In 2024, he was kidnapped by gunmen who stormed his Hotel. About two people, allegedly, his Security details were killed in the process. He was later released, allegedly, after dozens of millions of Naira was parted with.
