The Anambra State Government has launched an investigation into claims that officials from the Anambra State Waste Management Agency in collaboration with police officers, assaulted a former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Okey Akaneme.
This development was confirmed on Monday by the Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odumegwu.
Speaking to reporters, Odumegwu emphasized the government’s zero tolerance for assault and hooliganism, while suggesting that initial findings might exonerate ASWAMA officials.
“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.
The incident occurred on October 11 at Akaneme’s residence on Obi Lane, America Quarters, Onitsha.
Witnesses recounted that ASWAMA officials, accompanied by two policemen from the Onitsha Central Police Station, stormed the premises over unpaid sanitation fees.
According to a close associate, Okechukwu Ani, the situation escalated when Akaneme, dressed in his sleepwear, requested some time to prepare for the team.
“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,” Ani recounted.
He further described the harrowing scene, “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 first rushed to Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital in Onitsha before being transferred to Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where doctors revealed that his spinal cord had sustained 65% damage.
He is currently receiving specialized treatment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with residents and human rights organizations condemning the government’s initial silence on the matter. Many have demanded a thorough investigation and justice for the victim.
Odumegwu assured that the state government is prioritizing Akaneme’s recovery, stating, “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.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the state police department, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, declined to comment.
However, a senior officer disclosed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for further investigation.
