Anambra Court Denies Bail for Pastor with 75 Wives in Abduction, Murder Case

By Praise Chinecherem

The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has denied bail to the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada-Obosi, Pastor Harrison Anazodo, who is standing trial over allegations bordering on abduction, murder and unlawful isolation of individuals from their families.

Anazodo, who is reportedly associated with 75 wives, is also facing a charge of allegedly propagating the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means, an offence proscribed under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.

The pastor is being prosecuted before Justice Jude Obiora, with the prosecution alleging that he unlawfully abducted and separated individuals from their families and kept them in his residence.

The court, after considering the bail application filed by the pastor’s counsel and the objection by the State, declined to grant him bail.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, said the government was committed to ensuring a speedy and fair determination of the case.

Mefor, who witnessed the proceedings, also addressed an earlier incident involving journalists and supporters of the pastor.

“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,” he said.

He added that the matter had been resolved, with apologies tendered and arrangements expected for the replacement of damaged journalists’ equipment.

On the bail ruling, Mefor said the State had opposed the application and that the court ultimately agreed that bail should be denied.

“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,” he said.

Mefor stressed that the government was not pre-judging the pastor, noting that the court remained the appropriate authority to determine his guilt or innocence.

“So far, so good. We are looking forward to a quick and fair dispensation of this case so that justice will be served,” he said.

“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.”

He said the matter had been adjourned until October 16 for definite hearing.

“We look forward to gathering again on October 16 for definite hearing of the case as ordered by His Lordship,” Mefor added.

Also speaking, Chief State Counsel in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Chineze Victoria Ononye Ekwurekwu, who appeared alongside Principal State Counsel F.C. Abadom Igweike, said the prosecution had the responsibility of proving the allegations against the pastor beyond reasonable doubt.

“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,” Ekwurekwu said.

She explained that the court’s decision to deny bail was based on concerns about possible interference with witnesses.

“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,” she said.

The trial is expected to commence on October 16, when the prosecution will begin presenting evidence in the case.

The allegations against Anazodo remain allegations until determined by the court.

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