REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
There was a mild drama at an Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka as some persons believed to be supporters of the
General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi, Pastor Harrison Anazodo attacked journalists and cameramen while trying to bring him into the courtroom.
Pastor Anazodo is being prosecuted by the state government for
allegedly propagating the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means which is 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.
He appeared in court for hearing of his bail application and was driven close to the court door by a vehicle conveying him in a wheelchair.
The supporters who were mostly women, youths and elderly men used umbrella to shield journalists and camera men from to taking shots of him in a wheel chair.
The situation caused chaos as the church members went confrontational and started attacking journalists which led to the damage of smart phones of two journalists. b
The matter was reported to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, , who immediately approached the court and registered the matter before the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiorah.
The Attorney General told the court that the supporters of the bishop who is standing trial, obstructed and caused chaos in the premises, a situation he said is a breech of court rules.
The counsel to the defendant, W. Abonye pleaded with the court that those actions and misunderstanding were not directed by his client, noting that they had challenges bringing him to court amidst heightened tension.
He therefore tendered an unreserved apology to the Attorney General who Is representing the state government on the matter, the media and the court, promising that the defence counsel will replace the damaged gadgets and undertook that such misunderstanding will not occur again.
The presiding judge, Justice Obiorah, accepted
the apology tendered by the counsel for the defendant and his undertaking to replace the damaged gadgets of the journalists.
