The Anambra State High Court has sentenced controversial native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu to 12 years imprisonment after convicting him on multiple criminal counts linked to his activities.
Trial judge Jude Obiora found Nwangwu guilty on counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, imposing two-year prison terms on each count to run concurrently. Counts 1, 2, 9, and 10 were struck out.
The court noted that the convict had already spent 13 months in detention at the Agunechemba facility in Awka and therefore has about 11 months left to serve at a correctional facility operated by the Nigerian Correctional Service in Awka.
In far-reaching orders accompanying the sentence, Justice Obiora directed that Nwangwu’s shrine located in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, be completely demolished, with the demolition recorded on video. He was also compelled to sign a formal undertaking renouncing okite practices and, after completing his prison term, must serve as a youth ambassador to counter what the court described as the harmful impression he created among young people about acquiring wealth through illegal means.
The court further ordered him to publicly declare on all his social media platforms that he has abandoned the practice.
Justice Obiora disclosed that he had initially considered imposing fines of ₦20 million each on three additional counts instead of the six-year custodial sentences prescribed by law, but waived the fines after observing the defendant’s remorse during detention.
The judge rejected a defence request for the sentence to be served at the Agunechemba facility, ruling that it lacks the required correctional infrastructure and directing that the term be served at the Awka Correctional Centre.
Meanwhile, two of Nwangwu’s associates Onyebuchi Okocha and Ekene Igboekweze remain in detention.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
No comments:
Post a Comment