AWKA — There was a mild drama at the Anambra State High Court, Awka, on Tuesday as persons suspected to be supporters and church members of the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi, Pastor Harrison Anazodo, allegedly attacked journalists and cameramen while attempting to shield him from the media.
The incident occurred as Anazodo arrived at the court for his trial before Justice Jude Obiora.
The pastor was arrested by officials of the Anambra State Government on June 10, 2026, and is facing a seven-count charge bordering on alleged propagation of the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means, an offence proscribed under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, as well as alleged murder.
He is also accused of abduction, unlawful separation and isolation of individuals from their families and keeping them at his residence.
Eyewitnesses said some of the pastor’s supporters used umbrellas and their hands to shield him from cameras, while allegedly pushing journalists away from the vehicle that conveyed him to the court.
Two or three journalists reportedly had their mobile phones damaged during the altercation.
The supporters also reportedly occupied virtually every available space in the courtroom, leaving little room for other persons seeking to observe the proceedings.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, condemned the incident.
Nweke said: “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.
“I had to enter the courtroom and inform the court of the unfortunate incident, for two reasons: first, 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.”
He said he condemned the conduct, brought it to the attention of the court and requested that it be recorded in the proceedings.
“I indicated that I would escalate it to law enforcement authorities,” Nweke added.
According to the Attorney-General, counsel to the defendant subsequently apologized to him, members of the press and the court and accepted responsibility for replacing the damaged gadgets.
“The court delivered a bench ruling accepting the apology, directed that the gadgets be replaced, and appealed to me to let the matter rest. This is fundamental to the extent that it reemphasizes the freedom of the press to carry out their duties,” he said.
Nweke added that the court further ordered that proceedings in the matter would remain public and accessible to the press, stressing that no journalist should be harassed during subsequent hearings.
He warned that any recurrence of such conduct could lead to the trial being conducted on camera.
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