A Catholic priest, Father Angelo Chidi Unegbu, has spoken out against the Anambra State Government’s handling of a herbalist’s shrine, criticising the decision to seize and destroy items found on the premises.
The condemnation follows the government’s demolition of the shrine belonging to native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, widely known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, after a High Court in Awka handed him an 11-month prison sentence for involvement in ritual practices associated with “oke ite” and related offences.
Responding to the burning of the shrine’s contents, Father Angelo described the action as inhumane and questioned the reasoning behind it. He argued that rather than destroying the items, authorities should have engaged experts to study them, as a proper examination could have offered valuable insight into the activities of those involved in such practices and their wider networks.
The priest further suggested that many of the objects warranted preservation in a museum, and raised concerns about what he viewed as an unlawful entry into the man’s property in his absence. He also noted that the incident had been met with widespread celebration in some quarters, a reaction he found troubling.
Father Angelo added that posts of this nature routinely draw questions about whether his views are compatible with his role as a Catholic priest — a line of questioning he turned back on his critics, asking instead whether their response reflected basic human empathy.
