REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has denied the bail application of the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi, Pastor Harrison Anazodo standing trial on a seven-count charge.
The pastor is being prosecuted by the state government for
allegedly propagating the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means which was proscribed by the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, as well as murder, abduction, and the unlawful separation and isolation of individuals from their families and keeping them in his residence.
In a bail application, defence counsel W. Abonye noted that his client has been sick and hospitalised since 13th of September.
He submitted that the applicant has an illness that requires surgery and therefore applied for bail on the grounds of serious ill-health.
Counsel pleaded with the court to grant the application to enable the defendant who has been on admission at the state Teaching Hospital, Amaku , Awka receive proper medical care from his doctors so that he remains alive to defend himself.
He also undertook in an affidavit that the defendant would be produced in court whenever required.
Prosecution counsel and Chief State Counsel, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Chineze Ononye-Ekwerekwu however, informed the court that the state had filed a twenty-paragraph counter-affidavit sworn by Uchenna Obiefuna, accompanied by two exhibits.
Counsel stated that the defendant was discharged from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) on 3 October and tendered a discharge letter to that effect.
She argued that granting bail would pose a flight risk, given the serious nature of the charges.
The prosecution further told the court that the state is ready and willing to prosecute the matter, with witnesses prepared to testify against the clergyman.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Obiora, refused the bail application and held that there was no life-threatening illness that could not be attended to while the defendant remains in custody.
The judge also expressed concern that the defendant might interfere with or become a threat to witnesses.
Justice Obiora further noted that the applicant has no confirmed source of livelihood and is not a well-known figure in his village.
Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the trial has been adjourned to 16 October 2026 for Prosecution counsel to open the matter.
