Anambra Government Demolishes, Burns Shrine of Celebrity Native Doctor Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki Following Court-Ordered Sentence"

 

A High Court judge, Justice Jude Obiora, sentenced Nwangwu to 11 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges related to promoting and involvement in "Oke Ite" (get-rich-quick ritual practices) and associated offenses. Some reports vary slightly on the sentence length (e.g., mentions of 2 years in certain outlets, possibly due to aggregated fines or adjustments), but the core elements align: imprisonment, destruction of the shrine, and additional orders.

As part of the judgment, the court explicitly ordered the demolition of his Oba shrine, required Nwangwu to cease all "Oke Ite" practices upon release, make a public renunciation of such rituals, and serve as an ambassador for youth re-orientation against get-rich-quick schemes. A fine (reportedly up to N60 million in some accounts, later waived due to remorse and plea bargain) was also noted in variations.

Immediately after the ruling, operatives from the state's Agunechemba security outfit—supervised by the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security—carried out the demolition. The extensive shrine, which included native pots (many linked to "Oke Ite" rituals), photographs of individuals, molded images, clothes, charms, and other ritual objects, was dismantled piece by piece and set ablaze. Videos circulating online show heaps of seized items engulfed in flames, with security personnel overseeing the process.

This move is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Anambra government to crack down on fetish practices tied to criminality, money rituals, and youth exploitation. Reactions online have been mixed—some praise it as a bold step against superstition and crime facilitation, while others question aspects like freedom of belief or the lack of proven human harm in certain claims.

The fetish items were subsequently set ablaze. 

 

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