Court Denies Alleged Anambra Fake Pastor Bail as 7 Witnesses Set to Testify

Court Denies Alleged Anambra Fake Pastor Bail as 7 Witnesses Set to Testify

An Awka High Court on Tuesday denied the bail application filed by the General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Mr Harrison Anazodo, who is standing trial over allegations described by the prosecution as involving his activities as a pastor.

Anazodo had applied for bail on health grounds.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora, rejected the application, citing concerns relating to witnesses expected to testify in the case.

The development came as seven persons believed to be members of the congregation were said to be prepared to testify against Anazodo as the trial progresses.

Speaking shortly after the matter was adjourned to October 16, 2026, the state counsel, Mrs Victoria Ekwerekwu, commended the efforts of the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to tackle practices capable of misleading young people in the society.

She said, “We thank Governor Charles Soludo for trying to sanitise our society from pastors who make the younger generation believe that making money without hard work exists.”

According to her, a prima facie case had been established against Anazodo, although the prosecution still has the responsibility of proving the allegations against him beyond reasonable doubt.

“Today, there is a prima facie case against the pastor standing trial, Mr Harrison Anazodo. However, it is left for us to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt,” she said.

Ekwerekwu further explained that the court denied the bail application because of concerns that granting bail could expose witnesses to possible interference.

“The court ruled on the motion for bail and denied him bail because of the witnesses, so that the witnesses would not be interfered with. The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 16,” she said.

Also speaking, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, expressed optimism that the case would be dispensed with expeditiously, stressing that the final decision remained the responsibility of the court.

“We have been here since 9 a.m. The court considered the bail application filed by his counsel, and after weighing the merits of the application, the judge ruled that bail was denied,” Mefor said.

“We are looking forward to the quick dispensation of the matter, and we assure you that justice will be done and will be seen to have been done.” he said.