By Michael Ovat -Awka
The Anambra State High Court, Awka, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, denied bail to the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi, Pastor Harrison Anazodo, who is facing trial before Justice Jude Obiora.
Anazodo is being tried for allegedly propagating accumulation of wealth through supernatural means, proscribed under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, as well as murder, abduction, and unlawful separation and isolation of individuals from their families and keeping them in his residence.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, who spoke to journalists after the sitting, said the government looks forward to quick and fair dispensation of the case.
The commissioner, who witnessed the two sessions held at the court regarding the case said: “I had been in the court from 9am. The first part of today’s sitting was the unfortunate scuffle that journalists encountered with supporters of Pastor Harrison Anazodo. That has been resolved – apologies have been tendered and conditions for the replacement of damaged gadgets of journalists are expected to be met.
“The second part, which just ended, was the ruling on the bail application. The motion was filed on his behalf by his counsels. The State counsels objected to it, and weighing the merits, the judge agreed with the State that bail should be denied.
“So far, so good. We are looking forward to a quick and fair dispensation of this case so that justice will be served. If the pastor is not guilty, the court will certainly set him free, and if he is found guilty, he will have to face whatever is eventually decided by His Lordship, Justice Obiora. We look forward to gathering again on October 16 for definite hearing of the case as ordered by His Lordship,” he added.
Also speaking, Chief State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Barr. Chineze Victoria Ononye Ekwerekwu, who appeared with her colleague, F. C. Abadom Igweike, Principal State Counsel, commended the state government’s drive to sanitise the religious space.
“Today there is a case against a pastor who is standing trial, Pastor Harrison Anazodo. It is left for us to prove it beyond reasonable doubt, and that is what we are trying to do. The court ruled on the bail application and denied him bail to avoid interference with witnesses. The case was adjourned to October 16 for trial to commence,” Ekwurekwu said.
