Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to popular native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki.
Nwangwu, who was among eight native doctors arrested last year over alleged involvement in the promotion of money rituals, quick wealth and the use of human parts for ritual purposes, had earlier entered into a plea bargain with the Anambra State Government.
Following the plea bargain, he was sentenced to 11 months in prison and incarcerated at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Amawbia, Anambra State.
As part of the conditions attached to his plea bargain, Nwangwu was required to renounce his fetish practices and commit himself to supporting youth reformation efforts in the state.
He accepted the conditions and had been serving his sentence until Friday, when Governor Soludo exercised his prerogative of mercy and granted him a pardon.
The governor also appointed Nwangwu as Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State.
The development was disclosed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, following Soludo’s visit to the correctional facility.
Omenugha expressed appreciation to the governor for granting Nwangwu a second chance and giving him a new responsibility in the state’s youth reformation programme.
He said: “Thank you, Mr Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for graciously extending your hand of mercy to Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) and giving him a new responsibility as 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.”
