Court proceedings in Anambra were stalled on Friday due to the absence of three native doctors facing trial for alleged involvement in criminal activities.
The defendants—Chidozie Nwangwu (popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki), Onyebuchi Okocha (Onyeze Jesus), and Ekene Igboekweze (Eke Hit)—failed to appear for their scheduled hearing at the Anambra State High Court in Awka.
The trio had been charged by the state government with allegedly preparing charms for suspected criminals and participating in money rituals.
All three previously pleaded not guilty when they were first arraigned before Justice Jude Obiorah on April 11, 2025.
The case, which was adjourned to May 16 for continuation, could not proceed due to their unexplained absence.
Defence lawyers claimed they were unaware of the reason and had not received any prior notice.
Justice Obiorah subsequently postponed the hearing to June 20, 2025.
Efforts to obtain comments from the prosecution were unsuccessful, as none of the prosecutors responded to press inquiries.
The native doctors were initially arrested in March by operatives of Agunechemba, a state security outfit created under Anambra’s Homeland Security law.
Their arrest followed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s crackdown on ritual-related crimes, part of a wider security initiative including the launch of Operation Udogachi.