News
Anambra Govt Razes Akwa Okuko Shrine After Guilty Verdict
By Christian ABURIME
The era of the flamboyant social media traditionalist, Chidozie Nwangwu famously known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki has come to a dramatic and legal conclusion.
Appearing before Justice Jude Obiora at the Anambra State High Court in Awka, Nwangwu pleaded guilty to multiple charges brought against him by the State Government.
The high-profile traditionalist was arraigned following his arrest in February 2025 by the specialized security outfit, Agunechemba.
The charges against the him was severe, ranging from conspiracy to commit kidnapping to obtaining by fraud and promoting the controversial “Oke Ite” rituals.
The state alleged these practices were used to “fortify” criminals and provide spiritual cover for gunmen, directly violating the Anambra Homeland Security Law enacted by the State Government.
Under a plea bargain agreement, Nwangwu was convicted on counts three through eight by Justice Obiora. Having already spent 13 months in custody, the judge ordered him to serve a remaining 11 months at the Awka Correctional Center.
While the court struck out four counts and waived a N60 million fine, the conditions for his eventual release are stringent. Nwangwu must serve as an ambassador for youth re-orientation and issue a public statement denouncing “Oke Ite” practices, among others.
His counsel, Sylvester Iwuoba, confirmed that the judgment aligns with the agreement reached with the state, assuring that his client would fulfill his side of the bargain.
In compliance with the legal proceedings, the Anambra State Government moved to enforce the “zero-tolerance” policy of the Soludo administration on all manners of criminality.
Operatives of Agunechemba immediately stormed Nwangwu’s compound in Oba, Idemili South LGA, to carry out a “surgical operation” against fetish criminality. The main shrine was demolished, and various ritual items including the “Oke Ite” (the Big Pot) were publicly burned.
Under the Homeland Security Law, the state officially took possession of the expansive premises, which will now be repurposed for public use, just as Nwangwu is permanently prohibited from practicing “Oke Ite” or administering charms associated with criminal fortification.
“This is not an attack on tradition, but a surgical operation against criminality disguised as religion,” stated Mr. Ken Emeakayi, Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Community Security.
“By burning this shrine, we are sending a final warning: if you use your ‘powers’ to aid kidnappers, the law will find you, and your legacy will be reduced to ashes.
“The fall of Akwa Okuko serves as a landmark enforcement of the state’s security laws, signaling a definitive end to the influence of celebrity traditionalists found to be aiding the state’s insecurity.
News
Burial begins for Oyo school teacher killed by JAS terrorist group
The deceased teacher is expected to be buried at his residence in the Owolake area of Ogbomoso.
The burial arrangements for Adesiyan Adegboye, the teacher killed during last Friday’s coordinated attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, began on Friday at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomoso.
Adegboye, 49, was shot dead during the invasion carried out by armed bandits at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.
The deceased teacher is expected to be buried at his residence in the Owolake area of Ogbomoso.
The attackers reportedly stormed the schools around 9:30am, abducting several teachers and students during the operation that threw the communities into panic.
Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, visited the affected area on Saturday and ordered the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support ongoing rescue efforts.
News
FG launches GovGuideNigeria to boost citizens governance access
GovGuideNigeria platform is accessible through WhatsApp and the web, and is available in English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba to ensure wider accessibility for citizens across different linguistic backgrounds.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijan, has said that Nigerians can now access the government information and services through the newly launched GovGuideNigeria.
The artificial intelligence-powered platform was launched on May 21 by the government in collaboration with Meta, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and local developer partner Publica AI.
According to the Minister, the platform is accessible through WhatsApp and the web, and is available in English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba to ensure wider accessibility for citizens across different linguistic backgrounds.
Tijani stated that the platform provides users with easy access to information from more than 35 federal ministries and over 60 government agencies.
He described the initiative as part of the government’s efforts to improve public service delivery through technology and digital innovation.
Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Meta, said during the launch “Meta’s open-source AI is critical to economic growth and productivity — and GovGuide Nigeria, is a clear example of what this looks like in practice.
Ignatius Willie, CEO, Publica AI said, “Today is not just a product launch. It is a step towards democratising how Nigerians engage with their government. With GovGuide Nigeria, we are not simply digitising access to public services; we are making them conversational, multilingual, and available on the channels Nigerians already use every day.
News
DHQ says JAS terrorists carried out Oyo kidnap
The DHQ denied reports suggesting it referred to terrorists operating in the South-West as ordinary criminals, insisting that such interpretations were inaccurate and misleading.
Photo: Maj Gen Michael Onoja
The Defence Headquarters disclosed that the attackers behind the Oyo abduction were members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad terrorist group displaced by sustained military offensives across the country.
Latest week, schools in communities at Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, were attacked by terrorists ; they abducted pupils, teachers and other residents from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.
The incident also left several persons dead, while one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed after a video linked to the attack surfaced online.
In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, the DHQ confirmed said that the attack was perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over the country.
The DHQ denied reports suggesting it referred to terrorists operating in the South-West as ordinary criminals, insisting that such interpretations were inaccurate and misleading.
“It is, therefore, inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” Onoja stated
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