- Safiu Kehinde
A legal counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has, on Sunday condemned the arrest of popular Anambra herbalist, Chief Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) .
Nwangwu was reportedly arrested by the state government over a controversial video.
Reacting to the arrest, Ejiofor demanded immediate and unconditional release of the herbalist as he accused the state government of tampering with the Akwa Okuko’s fundamental rights.
The IPOB lawyer, in an address to newsmen, recalled how Nwangwu was invited by the office of the Anambra state Deputy Governor.
The invitation, according to him, would led to the herbalist’s detention
“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 tramples on his fundamental rights and raises serious questions about the abuse of state power for political or personal vendettas.” Ejiofor said.
According to reports, the controversy appears linked to the viral, undated video in which Akwa Okuko allegedly spoke about preparing a substance called “Okeite.”
Ejiofor held that the video was not officially released or promoted by Akwa Okuko.
“Even assuming—without conceding—that he made such statements, the fundamental question remains: What crime has he committed?” Ejiofor asked.
He cited Sections 38, 39, and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee citizens’ rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression. He insisted that these rights are sacrosanct and cannot be arbitrarily infringed upon.
Meanwhile, an X user, accused the native doctor of being a bad influence on Igbo youths while alleging that there is something suspicious about him.
“Akwa okuko is a bad influence to our Igbo youths, A native doctor with Security
“Since this guy emerged, I don’t want to sound like am hating, he’s a Native doctor not herbalist.
“There is something about this guy that no one is talking about. He need to be stopped.” He wrote