The Anambra State High Court in Awka has ordered the replacement of journalists’ damaged gadgets following an alleged attack by persons suspected to be supporters of Pastor Harrison Anazodo, the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi.
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The court’s intervention followed a complaint by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, who condemned the incident and brought it to the court’s attention during proceedings on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
According to Nweke, the defendant’s counsel apologised to the court, the journalists and the Attorney-General, and agreed that the damaged gadgets would be replaced. The court subsequently accepted the apology and directed their replacement.
The incident occurred as Anazodo arrived for proceedings in his criminal trial before Justice Jude Obiora. Persons believed to be his supporters and church members allegedly attempted to prevent journalists and cameramen from photographing or filming him.
Eyewitnesses said the men surrounded the cleric, using umbrellas and their hands to shield him from cameras as he was being taken into court.
They alleged that journalists were pushed during the movement of the vehicle conveying the pastor as it reversed towards the court entrance. Three journalists reportedly had their phones damaged in the altercation.
The supporters were also said to have occupied virtually all available spaces in the courtroom, leaving little room for journalists and other observers.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Nweke said the reported attack was unacceptable, particularly within court premises.
“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 members of the press and damaged their gadgets,” he said.
The Attorney-General explained that he entered the courtroom to report the incident because of the sanctity of the court and the importance of journalists’ work.
“I had to enter the courtroom and inform the court of that unfortunate incident, for two reasons: the court premises and the courtroom are hallowed places, and secondly, journalists are the eyes and ears of the public and must be respected at all times.”
Nweke said he asked that the conduct be recorded in the proceedings and indicated that he would refer the matter to law enforcement authorities.
“I condemned that attitude, reported the incident to the court, asked the court to take note of that conduct in the proceedings of the case, and indicated that I would escalate it to law enforcement authorities,” he stated.
However, the defendant’s counsel subsequently tendered an apology and accepted the condition that the damaged equipment be replaced.
“The court delivered a bench ruling accepting the apology, directing that the gadgets be replaced, and appealing to me to let the matter rest. This is fundamental to the extent that it re-emphasises the freedom of the press to carry out their duties,” Nweke said.
He also said the court reaffirmed that proceedings would remain public and accessible to the press, and that journalists should not be harassed while carrying out their professional duties during subsequent hearings.
Anazodo, who was arrested by officials of the Anambra State Government, is facing a seven-count charge. The allegations include propagating the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means, conduct said to be prohibited under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
He has also been accused of engineering the separation of some women from their husbands and taking them as concubines. Those allegations remain subject to the criminal proceedings and have not been established by a conviction.
The court’s ruling on the damaged gadgets addressed the incident involving journalists during his appearance; it did not determine the substantive allegations against the pastor.
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