Catholic Priest Criticises Anambra Government Over Burning of Herbalist’s Shrine Items

A Catholic priest, Angelo Chidi Unegbu, has criticised the Anambra State Government for burning items recovered from the shrine of a convicted herbalist, describing the action as inhumane.

The controversy follows the demolition of the shrine belonging to Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, after an Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka sentenced him to 11 months’ imprisonment over his involvement in ritual practices referred to as “oke ite” and related offences.

Reacting to reports that objects retrieved from the shrine were set ablaze, Father Unegbu questioned the rationale behind destroying materials that, in his view, should have been examined.

“Why are you destroying and burning the objects in the shrine? How can you set fire to something you don't understand?” he wrote.

He argued that experts should have been invited to investigate the items in order to better understand the operations and networks associated with alleged ritual activities. According to him, proper examination could have provided the government with valuable insights into the activities of those involved.

The priest also suggested that some of the objects might have been preserved for historical or educational purposes, rather than destroyed.

“Most of the objects should have been kept in a museum. Besides, who enters a man's house without him?” he added, expressing concern that many people were celebrating the development.

Addressing critics who questioned his stance, Father Unegbu responded: “Every time I write posts like this, I get asked: Are you sure you're a Catholic priest? My counter-question to such people is: Are you sure you're human?”