The Anambra State High Court has denied bail to the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi, Pastor Harrison Anazodo, ruling that no life-threatening medical condition had been established that could not be treated while he remains in custody.Find Legal Help
Justice Jude Obiora delivered the ruling on Tuesday and adjourned the case until October 16, 2026, for the prosecution to open its case.
The bail ruling followed an application by Anazodo’s counsel, Mr. W. Abonye, who argued that the cleric was seriously ill and required surgery. Counsel told the court that Anazodo had been sick and hospitalised since September 13 and urged the judge to release him so he could receive proper medical attention from his doctors and “remain alive to defend himself.”
The defence also undertook by affidavit to produce the defendant in court whenever required.
However, the prosecution, led by the Chief State Counsel in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Chineze Ononye-Ekwerekwu, opposed the application. She told the court that the State had filed a 20-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by Mr. Uchenna Obiefuna, accompanied by two exhibits.
Ononye-Ekwerekwu informed the court that Anazodo had been discharged from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, on October 3, and tendered the discharge letter in evidence.
She argued that releasing him could create a flight risk because of the seriousness of the charges, adding that the State was ready to proceed with the trial and had witnesses prepared to testify.
In refusing the bail application, Justice Obiora held that there was no life-threatening illness that could not be attended to while Anazodo remained in custody.
The judge also expressed concern that the defendant could interfere with witnesses or pose a threat to them. Justice Obiora further noted that the defendant had no confirmed source of livelihood and was not a well-known figure in his village.
Anazodo, an Onitsha-based cleric, was arrested by officials of the Anambra State Government on June 10, 2026, and is facing a seven-count charge.
The charges are principally brought under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 and include allegations of propagating and promoting the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means, an offence prohibited under the law.Law enforcement training
The charges also include murder, abduction, forced marriage and human trafficking involving female church members, including a mother and her daughter. He is further accused of unlawfully separating individuals from their families, isolating them and keeping them confined at his residence.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed continuously between 2000 and 2025. Anazodo has pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.
During his earlier arraignment, the defendant was brought to court in a wheelchair from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka.
Tuesday’s proceedings were also preceded by disorder at the court premises, where persons described as members and supporters of the defendant’s congregation allegedly attacked journalists and cameramen and damaged their equipment.
Eyewitnesses said supporters used umbrellas and their hands to shield Anazodo from cameras as he arrived at the court. They reportedly pushed journalists away from the vehicle conveying him as it reversed towards the court entrance.
Reports indicated that the mobile phones of between two and three journalists were damaged, while some camera equipment was also affected. The supporters were also said to have occupied virtually all available space in the courtroom, leaving little room for journalists and other members of the public.
The incident prompted the Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, to enter the courtroom and report the matter to the judge.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Nweke condemned the alleged attack and said journalists must be allowed to carry out their duties.
“My attention was drawn to the fact that the defendant standing criminal trial, Pastor Harrison Anazodo, came to the court premises with some persons who attacked journalists and damaged their gadgets,” Nweke said.
He said he informed the court because court premises and the courtroom were “hallowed places” and because journalists were “the eyes and ears of the public and must be respected at all times.”
Nweke said he asked the court to take note of the incident and indicated that he would escalate the matter to law enforcement authorities.Law enforcement training
According to him, defence counsel subsequently apologised to him, the press and the court and accepted responsibility for replacing the damaged equipment.
He said the court accepted the apology, directed that the damaged gadgets be replaced and appealed to him to allow the matter to rest.
Nweke added that the court ordered that proceedings remain public and accessible to journalists and directed that no journalist be harassed during subsequent hearings. He said the court warned that any recurrence could result in proceedings being conducted on camera.
The Anambra State Government has described Anazodo’s arrest and prosecution as part of its broader enforcement of the Homeland Security Law and its campaign against practices it considers harmful to public order and community safety.
The government has maintained that the case demonstrates its determination to enforce the law regardless of the status or following of anyone accused of violating it.
At the time of his arrest, the State alleged that at least 11 babies were found at Anazodo’s residence. It also said that when questioned about the number of women he regarded as his wives, he could not give an exact figure.
Anazodo has been described as being married to more than 75 women.
The case has now been adjourned until October 16, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to open its case.