By Charles Maduka
The trial of three native doctors accused of preparing charms for suspected criminals and participating in money rituals was stalled on Friday due to their absence in court.
The accused individuals—Chidozie Nwangwu, also known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki; Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly called Onyeze Jesus; and Ekene Igboekweze, known as Eke Hit—are facing charges filed by the Anambra State Government. All three have pleaded not guilty.
They were first arraigned on April 11 before Justice Jude Obiorah of the Anambra State High Court in Awka. After taking their pleas, the court adjourned the case to May 16 for continuation of trial.
However, when the matter was called on the scheduled date, the accused were not present, leading the judge to postpone proceedings to June 20. No official explanation was provided for their absence, and their defence counsels claimed they were not informed.
Efforts by reporters to get comments from the prosecution team were unsuccessful, as none of them agreed to speak to the press.
The accused native doctors were initially arrested by operatives of Agunechemba, a security outfit created under Anambra State’s Homeland Security law. Their arrest followed the state government’s crackdown on activities linked to ritual crimes, launched as part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s security initiative known as Operation Udogachi.
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