*Defendant Denied Bail, Case Adjourned Until October 16
BY CHUKS COLLINS, AWKA
THERE was a mild drama at the Anambra State High Court in Awka on Tuesday, October 6, when persons suspected to be supporters and church members of the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi, Harrison Anazodo, allegedly attacked journalists and cameramen while attempting to shield him from the media.
The incident occurred as Anazodo entered the courtroom for trial before Justice Jude Obiora, when some of the pastor’s supporters reportedly used umbrellas and their hands to shield him from cameras, while allegedly pushing journalists away from the vehicle conveying him to the court.
A few journalists allegedly had their mobile phones damaged during the altercation.
The supporters were also said to have occupied virtually every available space in the courtroom, leaving little room for others seeking to observe the proceedings.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), condemned the incident.
Nweke said his attention was drawn to the incident and he had informed the court of it, because the court premises and courtroom were hallowed places, while journalists served as the eyes and ears of the public and should be respected in the discharge of their duties.
The commissioner stated that he had requested that the incident be recorded in the proceedings, indicating his intention to escalate the matter to law enforcement authorities.
He disclosed that Counsel to the defendant subsequently apologised to him, members of the press and the court, while accepting responsibility for replacing the damaged gadgets.
Nweke said the court had delivered a bench ruling, accepting the apology and directing that the damaged gadgets be replaced, while appealing to him to allow the matter to rest.
He added that the court further ordered that proceedings in the matter would remain public and accessible to the press, stressing that no journalist should be harassed during subsequent hearings.
The attorney general warned that any recurrence of such conduct could result in the trial being conducted on camera.
Anazodo, who was arrested by officials of the Anambra State Government on June 10, is facing a seven-count charge bordering on the alleged propagation of the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means, an offence punishable under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
He is also facing charges of murder, abduction, unlawful separation and isolation of individuals from their families and keeping them at his residence.
Anazodo had applied for bail on health grounds, but the presiding Judge, Justice Jude Obiora, turned down the application, citing concerns relating to witnesses expected to testify in the matter.
At least seven persons believed to be members of his congregation were said to be prepared to testify against Anazodo as the trial progresses.
Speaking shortly after proceedings was adjourned to October 16, state Counsel, Victoria Ekwerekwu, commended the state government’s efforts to tackle unwholesome practices capable of misleading young people in society.
She said: “We thank Governor Charles Soludo for trying to sanitise our society from fake pastors who make the younger generation believe that making money without hard work exists.
“Today, there is a prima facie case against the pastor standing trial, Harrison Anazodo. However, it is left for us to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.”
Ekwerekwu explained that the court denied the bail application because of concerns that granting him bail could expose witnesses to possible interference.
