Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called out Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo over the arrest and detention of a well known native doctor always on social media, Chidozie Nwangwu aka ‘Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, accusing the governor of violating the rights to religious practice of the suspect as guaranteed by Nigeria Constitution, this, as Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo goes harder on Babalawos, witch or spiritual native doctors fuelling insecurity in the state most especially those under the religious practice of Okite or Ezenwanyi that are widely believed to be responsible for the encouragement of people into kidnapping, organs harvesting, money rituals specifically rampant cases of stolen babies and boyfriends killing girlfriends for money ritual purposes: with investigation indicating that some dangerous crimes in Anambra are committed by Teenagers, Minors or Underaged children often misled and manipulated into the inhuman crimes by elderly ones, forcing the Anambra State Government to enact a new law that is tagged Homeland Security Law 2025 that came into effect on January 17, 2025 which banned anyone from advertising or showcasing on social media or any public place his or her supernatural powers to make people rich without any lawful means of legitimate business, forbids any spiritual native doctor from using their powers to perfect magical bullets proof for people to commit crime in the state and strictly stipulated 25 years imprisonment with no option of fine for any spiritual native doctor that requires human parts or blood to administer charms or protection to anybody in the state.

A careful study of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, the government did not ban the practice of Babalawo, witch or spiritual native doctor but anyone who practiced his or her religion in a manner that violates other sections of Nigeria constitution, public rights or the rights of any human being in the state.

The native doctor, Akwa Okuku in a video made available online on Saturday where he was seen interrogated by the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Onyeka Ibezim, said he has long stopped the practice of Okite immediately he heard about the  Homeland Security law concerning Okite. Adding that, he’s not the owner of the social media account where supernatural powers for wealth and protection is being advertised and propagated.

The Homeland Security Law stipulates one year imprisonment or a fine of ₦5 million or both for any landlord or house owner that rent his or apartment out to tenant without collecting a valid means of identification, details of work occupation of the tenant and submitting same immediately to the President General of the Community or Leadership of his or her Estate for onward transmission of the tenant data to authority.

All hotels, Guest Houses, Inn, Lodges, Motels, Shortlets or any commercial dwelling places in the state are by the new law mandated to install CCTV cameras on their facilities with mandatory collection of Valid ID card from guests or users of the homeaway accommodation before checking them into their room, report daily to appropriate authority the CCTV recording and Data collected from the users; and failure to do so, the proprietor of the place of hospitality will be sentenced to 6 months imprisonment or a fine of ₦1 million or both.

The law stipulates 6 years jail term or a fine of ₦20 million or both for anyone found under the practice of Okite or Ezenwanyi for the purpose of using his or her supernatural powers to make people rich without known legitimate business or to administer bullets proof charms to people to commit crime in the state.

And such penalty also goes to anyone under the practice of Okite or Ezenwanyi seen to have thrown items into the river as sacrifices or dumps on the road or any public place for the purpose of making people rich without legitimate business or bullets proof protection for the commission of crime in the state.

The law also stipulates 6 years imprisonment or a fine of ₦20 million or both for anyone who claims to have any supernatural power and found to be misleading the public or any member of the public. The person, during investigation shall be given the opportunity to prove his or her supernatural powers or given the chance to test the charms.

And above all, any person or spiritual native doctor that requires human parts or blood of a human person to perform any rituals or charms will be sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with no option of fine upon conviction.

That aside, few days ago, the lifeless body of Justice Azuka, the member representing Onitsha North One Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly was found by security operatives near the Second Niger Bridge with police saying the suspects behind the kidnapping and killing of the lawmaker were mostly between the age of 19 and 20; with some members of the public identifying one of the suspects to be 16 years old who only have an advanced or matured face and body structure that makes him looks older than his age.

Azuka was reportedly kidnapped on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home for Christmas. He was abducted at gunpoint in a swift operation that lasted less than five minutes, according to Punch Newspaper.

The lawmaker, a chieftain of the Labour Party, reclaimed his mandate following a court ruling that nullified the victory of Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party, who was initially declared the winner of the 2023 election.

Reacting to the arrest Akwa Okuko in a press statement on Sunday, the IPOB lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor said the arrest did not only trample on his fundamental rights, but also raises serious questions about the abuse of state power for political or personal vendettas.

The statement reads: “It is deeply concerning that Chief Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, has been unlawfully arrested by the Anambra State Government. This egregious act not only tramples on his fundamental rights but also raises serious questions about the abuse of state power for political or personal vendettas.

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 by 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 about 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?

Legal and Constitutional Violations: Sections 38, 39, and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 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 infringed upon by any government, authority or local laws.

Specifically: Section 38 guarantees the right to practice and propagate one’s religion freely, whether in private or in public, alone or with others.

Section 39 upholds the right to freedom of expression, including the right to hold opinions and disseminate information without interference.

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.

Who is Akwa Okuko? Chief Chidozie Nwangwu is a renowned and successful traditional doctor, widely recognized for his metaphysical beliefs by his adherents.

Contrary to the misconceptions being peddled, I have been reliably informed that he has consistently discouraged individuals without legitimate means of livelihood from seeking his services.

I was further informed that he has publicly declared that only those engaged in genuine trade or business should consult him, demonstrating a strong ethical stance in his practice.

If his arrest is indeed linked or limited to the aforementioned viral video, then this amounts to an unlawful detention and must be unequivocally condemned. His continued incarceration represents a gross violation of his fundamental rights and an abuse of power by the Anambra State Government.

Concerns About the Agunechemba Security Outfit: I have been a strong advocate of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, having publicly commended its launch as a necessary step toward tackling criminal activities by non-state actors that had previously terrorized our dear state.

There were initial concerns that the security initiative lacked timely state support, allowing criminals to wreck havoc before Governor Soludo finally intervened.

Now, with the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election approaching, it appears that the goalpost is shifting – raising suspicions of political manipulation. Any attempt to use Agunechemba as a tool for silencing perceived political opponents will be roundly resisted by well-meaning Anambrarians.

Call for Immediate and Unconditional Release: Given these troubling developments, I call on the Anambra State Government to immediately and unconditionally release Chief Chidozie Nwangwu. His detention is not only illegal but also sets a dangerous precedent for the suppression of religious and expressive freedoms in our state.

Agunechemba Security Outfit should remain focused on its core mandate – combating crime – and not being hijacked for political witch-hunts. If the state government attempts to subvert its original purpose, the people of Anambra will resolutely reject such misdirection. Let wise counsel prevail”, said and signed by Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

Last year, Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki was kidnapped around 11:30pm on Sunday, July 23, 2024 at his Triple P Hotel in Oba, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state after the kidnappers shot dead two of his security guards.

It was widely rumoured that he paid between 200 and 300 million naira to regain his freedom with the help of his friends who apparently contributed the money as the Kidnappers continued to scale up their demands.

To draw the curtains close, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Enaghe Obono Itam while parading the suspects behind the abduction and killing of the Anambra State Lawmaker, Justice Azuka, stated below in quote:

“Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press and Happy New Month to you all. Our interaction today is to highlight some of the notable breakthroughs recorded by the Anambra State Police Command on major incidents in the State within the period under review.

Many of you are aware of the gruesome murder of Honourable Justice Azuka, the Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency One in the Anambra State House of Assembly who was abducted on 24th December 2024 in Onitsha.

This serious incident motivated the Command to go the extra mile in intelligence gathering and discreet investigation.

In the early hours of 6th February 2025 at the second niger bridge, the Joint Security team comprising of the Police and AVG Operatives on a mission to rescue the abducted Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North, Honourable Azuka, his lifeless body was regrettably found at the scene. (May his soul rest in perfect peace).

Given the above on the same day, the Command Operatives in a joint operation with Anambra State Vigilante Operatives acting on intelligent-led information arrested Nine suspects actively involved in this unfortunate incident and recovered two pump action guns. One of the suspects sustained a gunshot injury in his leg during a gun duel with the Police operatives.

The arrested suspects include: Ugochukwu Onuorah aged 30 years, Ikemefuna Ossai aged 20 years, Ikenna Orugu aged 27 years, Chibuike Obiefuna aged 19 years, Chinonso Olisa aged 19 years years, Chinedu Okoli aged 21 years, David Ojini aged 25 years and the most notorious of them, one Peter Sunday aged 20 years with a big tattoo inscription of No peace 4 d Government on his chest.

The Command Operatives have also successfully arrested one Chidiebere Nwosu, a kidnap suspect in Uruagu, Nnewi and neutralised some of his gang members that were involved in the attack of Police personnel attached to the Rapid Response Squad after a successful arrest on 3rd October 2024.

We have also neutralised more than one hundred (100) notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru and many other places in the State.

I want to extend our gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his guidance and overall support, also appreciate the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo,  sister Agencies, the Media, residents of the State, Anambra State Vigilante operatives, Civil Society Groups, Organizations and many others for their unflinching support within the 9 (nine) months that I spent in the State as the Commissioner of Police in the light of the Nation.

Please be assured that the confidence reposed on the Police and other security agencies for the protection of lives and properties of residents is not to be taken for granted. Thanks once again and may God bless us all”.