{
  "id": 8290966,
  "title": "Soludo pardons jailed native doctor, appoints him youth ambassador",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/soludo-pardons-jailed-native-doctor-appoints-him-youth-ambassador-8290966",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T19:30:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/soludo-pardons-jailed-native-doctor-appoints-him-youth-ambassador/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has pardoned Chidozie Nwangwu, a native doctor, and appointed him as the Youth Ambassador of Anambra State. Nwangwu, also known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki”, was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months in prison for practicing “Okeite” and other related matters. He was also ordered to destroy his shrine and renounce his fetish practice. Nwangwu pleaded guilty to charges related to promoting money rituals, quick wealth and the use of human parts for rituals. The Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 led to the arrest of eight native doctors, including Nwangwu, in 2025. The governor pardoned Nwangwu under the prerogative of mercy, making him an Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State.",
  "summary": "Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has pardoned a jailed native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, also known as \"Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki\". According to the Punch Nigeria report, Nwangwu was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the practice of \"Okeite\" and other related matters.\n\nHe was among eight native doctors arrested in 2025 for promoting money rituals, quick wealth, and using human parts for rituals. As part of his sentence, Nwangwu was ordered to renounce his fetish practice and serve as an ambassador for youth reformation.\n\nSoludo has now appointed Nwangwu as the state's Ambassador for Youth Reformation, with the governor's Special Adviser on Youth Reformation, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, expressing gratitude for the governor's \"hand of mercy\" towards Nwangwu, citing it as an example of the governor's approach to youth reformation, which prioritizes correction, restoration, and new purpose.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "BREAKING: Soludo pardons jailed native doctor, Akwa Okuko, appoints him Ambassador of Youths Reformation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/breaking-soludo-pardons-jailed-native-doctor-akwa-okuko-appoints-him",
        "published": "2026-09-18T18:19:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Soludo pardons jailed native doctor, appoints him youth ambassador",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/soludo-pardons-jailed-native-doctor-appoints-him-youth-ambassador",
        "published": "2026-09-18T19:24:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}