The Anambra State Government has condemned an alleged brutalisation of a former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Okey Akaneme, by officials of the state Waste Management Agency and police officers.
This was as the state government disclosed that it has commenced an investigation into the alleged brutalisation.
Speaking on the incident, the state Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odumegwu, on Monday, noted that while the government does not condone assault, preliminary findings suggested that ASWAMA officials may not be responsible.
“The Anambra state government does not condone assault or touting of any kind and if any government agent is found culpable, he will face the consequences.
“We must unravel the unfortunate incident but first and foremost, we must know the medical condition of the victim and rescue health first if any,” Odumegwu stated.
- APC will connect Anambra to centre in November – Ganduje
- Defilement of three-year-old: Police admit detaining 10-year-old
- Oyebanji congratulates ex-Gov. Fayemi on 60th birthday
- Ogun CP reminds motorists of virtue of patience while driving
- Ijaw Youths Network celebrates philanthropist, Mathew Tonlagha on his birthday
Akaneme was reportedly attacked on October 11 at his residence on Obi Lane, America Quarters, Onitsha, after ASWAMA officials, accompanied by two policemen from Onitsha Central Police Station, allegedly stormed his home over unpaid sanitation fees.
Eyewitnesses said Akaneme was manhandled, leaving him with severe spinal injuries.
Narrating the ordeal, a close associate, Okechukwu Ani, said, “The team entered Akaneme’s home early that morning, demanding his arrest. Akaneme, still in his sleepwear, asked for time to get ready, but the team allegedly forced their way in.
“As neighbours were prevailing on the ASWAMA team to leave Akaneme alone, they realised that they had inflicted on him an almost fatal injury, it was at that point that the team members forcefully dropped Akaneme’s body to the ground of his apartment, near the door, while he was unable to lift a finger or move his legs with his neck broken amidst other injuries.”
Akaneme was reportedly rushed to Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital, Onitsha, and later transferred to Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where doctors confirmed his spinal cord was 65% damaged.
He has since been moved to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, for advanced care.
Residents and human rights groups have condemned the state government’s initial silence after the incident, widely shared on social media, has sparked outrage, demanding accountability.
Odumegwu, however, maintained that the state is prioritising Akaneme’s health.
“First and foremost, we have tried to reach the victim to ascertain his health condition and see how it can be salvaged. The victim reported the matter to the police station and investigations are going on as we speak.
“The ASWAMA waste manager has been trying empathically to reach the victim but to no avail,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has not released any official statement on the matter.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, declined to comment.
However, a senior officer confirmed that the case has been transferred to the State CID in Awka for further investigation
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
