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Anambra State Ministry of Justice, awka, Awka (2026)

08/10/2026

Soludo Orders Immediate Ceasefire, Commission of Inquiry into Aguleri-Umuoba Anam Crisis

By Ayika Chike

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has ordered an immediate and total cessation of hostilities between the Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities following a meeting with critical stakeholders from both sides of the crisis.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders and government officials from the affected communities and neighbouring areas to deliberate on the crisis and chart a lasting path to peace.

Among those who attended were the Deputy Governor of Anambra State; Igwe George Obalum-Ekwealor, Traditional Ruler of Umuoba Anam; Igwe Ezeudo Idigo, Traditional Ruler of Aguleri; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN; former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Anambra East, Hon. Obinna Emenaka; Chief Fidelis Okafor, stakeholder and representative of Umuoba Anam; Hon. Ekenechukwu Okoye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Boundary Affairs; Dr. Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information; as well as various community leaders and Presidents-General.

Governor Soludo, who expressed deep pain over the loss of innocent lives in the crisis, including the death of a minor, condemned the destruction of property and the reported desecration of the Idigo Palace in Aguleri.
He described the development as an affront to the values and heritage of Ndi Anambra, stressing that such acts were unacceptable.
According to the Governor, no community has the right to take lives or resort to self-help, warning that his administration would not tolerate any further breakdown of law and order in the affected communities.
Following extensive deliberations, the stakeholders agreed on a number of measures aimed at restoring peace and addressing the underlying issues.
The first resolution was an immediate and total ceasefire, with both parties agreeing to halt all hostilities.

The Governor also declared that justice must be served, stating that all persons found to have participated in killings, destruction of property and other criminal activities would be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He further called on traditional rulers and Presidents-General of communities to take greater responsibility in managing communal disputes, urging them to be proactive and responsive before disagreements escalate into violence.
On the destruction of the Idigo Palace, Governor Soludo directed the State Government to assist in rebuilding the palace.

He described the palace as more than just a building, noting that it represents the heritage, identity and traditional authority of the people of Anambra State.
The Governor also announced plans to constitute a Commission of Inquiry to examine historical complaints, petitions and other issues connected with the crisis.
The Commission, he said, would have four months within which to submit its report and make recommendations on the way forward.
Governor Soludo further directed security agencies to maintain a strong presence in the affected communities to enforce the ceasefire and ensure the protection of lives and property.

He assured the people that his administration would remain fair, firm and just in handling the crisis, while reiterating its determination to restore lasting peace between the communities.
The Governor urged all stakeholders, community leaders and residents to support the peace process and refrain from actions capable of further escalating tensions.

08/10/2026

Attoney General Condemns Alleged Attack on Journalists by Pastor Anazodo’s Supporters

By Ayika Chike

Mild Drama at AnambrIa High Court as Pastor Anazodo’s Supporters Allegedly Attack Journalists

There was mild drama at the Anambra State High Court in Awka on Tuesday, September 5, 2026, 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 as he entered the courtroom.

Eyewitnesses said the supporters used umbrellas and their hands to prevent journalists from taking photographs and recording the cleric. They reportedly pushed journalists with the vehicle conveying Anazodo as it reversed towards the entrance of the court.

In the ensuing commotion, two to three journalists were said to have had their mobile phones damaged. The supporters also reportedly occupied virtually every available space in the courtroom, leaving limited room for journalists and other observers.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, the Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, condemned the incident.

Nweke said his attention was drawn to the alleged attack on members of the press and damage to their gadgets, prompting him to formally bring the matter to the attention of the court.

According to him, the court premises and courtroom are hallowed places, while journalists serve as “the eyes and ears of the public” and must be respected in the discharge of their professional duties.

The Attorney-General said he condemned the conduct, reported the incident to the court, and requested that it be noted in the proceedings. He also indicated his intention to escalate the matter to law enforcement authorities.

He disclosed that counsel to the defendant subsequently apologised to him, members of the press and the court, while accepting responsibility for replacing the damaged gadgets.

Nweke said the court, in a bench ruling, accepted the apology and directed that the damaged gadgets be replaced. The court also appealed to him to allow the matter to rest.

He said the development was important because it reaffirmed the freedom of the press to carry out its duties without intimidation or harassment.

According to him, the court further ordered that proceedings in the case would remain public and accessible to members of the press, stressing that no journalist should be harassed in the course of covering the trial.

Nweke, however, warned that any recurrence of such conduct could lead to the court taking stricter measures, including holding the trial on camera.

Background

Pastor Harrison Anazodo was arrested by officials of the Anambra State Government on June 10, 2026, and is standing trial before Justice Jude Obiora.

He is facing a seven-count charge bordering on alleged propagation of the accumulation of wealth through supernatural means, an act said to have been proscribed under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.

The charges also include allegations relating to murder, abduction, and the unlawful separation and isolation of individuals from their families and keeping them in his residence.

Anazodo remains a defendant in the ongoing proceedings, and the allegations against him are yet to be proven in court.

05/10/2026

AG Anambra Urges Umuoba Anam, Aguleri to Embrace Dialogue Ahead of Governor’s Peace Meeting

By Ayika Chike

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, has appealed to the people of Umuoba Anam and Aguleri communities to cease hostilities and embrace peace ahead of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

The Attorney General urged the two communities to use the opportunity provided by the Governor’s intervention to present their grievances through their respective stakeholders at the meeting, rather than resort to violence and armed confrontation.

Nweke said disputes between the communities could only be sustainably resolved through dialogue, peaceful engagement and the willingness of all parties to seek common ground.

He warned that resorting to armed conflict could further escalate tensions and result in violent crimes and other serious consequences for residents of both communities.

The Attorney General therefore called on the people of Umuoba Anam and Aguleri to sheath their swords and give peace a chance, stressing that the forthcoming stakeholders’ meeting provides an important avenue for addressing their concerns peacefully.

He commended Governor Soludo for his intervention and efforts towards bringing the two communities together, expressing optimism that the dialogue would pave the way for lasting peace and improved relations between Umuoba Anam and Aguleri.

Nweke further encouraged all stakeholders to approach the meeting with an open mind and a commitment to peaceful resolution, noting that the safety, development and wellbeing of the people should remain the priority.

04/10/2026

FAMILY LAND DISPUTE ENDS IN DEATH AS ANAMBRA COURT JAILS NEPHEW FOR LIFE

By Ayika Chike

The Anambra State High Court, Awka Judicial Division, has convicted and sentenced one Silas Uwa to life imprisonment for the killing of his uncle, Mr. Nweke Eziokwu, following a dispute over family land.

The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, by the Honourable Justice Okechukwu A. Nwabunike of High Court 4, Awka Judicial Division, in Charge No. A/63C/2018.

The prosecution told the court that the defendant and the deceased, who was his uncle, had been involved in a dispute over the ownership of a parcel of family land. The matter had reportedly been adjudicated upon by the kindred, which ruled in favour of the deceased.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the defendant and his siblings did not seek judicial redress. Instead, the prosecution established that on the day of the incident, Uwa confronted his uncle while he was working on his farm, engaged him in a fight and attacked him with a machete, resulting in his death.

To establish its case, the prosecution, led by Ifeanyi J. Oguejiofor, Esq., Chief State Counsel, assisted by Ijeoma J. Ugboaja, Esq., Principal State Counsel, called four witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer.

The defence relied on the plea of self-defence and argued that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt, particularly in the absence of an eyewitness to the killing.

In a detailed and well-considered judgment, Justice Nwabunike held that a charge of murder may be established through any of three recognised modes of proof: direct eyewitness evidence, a confessional statement, or circumstantial evidence.

The court further held that the absence of an eyewitness did not weaken the prosecution's case, as credible circumstantial evidence presented before the court sufficiently established that the defendant was responsible for the death of the deceased.

The court also rejected the defence of self-defence, holding that the circumstances of the case did not support the plea.

However, rather than convicting the defendant for murder, the court found him guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The judgment reinforces the position of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, that disputes over ownership of land should be resolved through lawful civil remedies, including actions for declaration of title, rather than through self-help, violence or the criminalisation of civil disputes.

The case also underscores the need for parties involved in land disputes to seek judicial intervention instead of taking the law into their own hands.

The prosecution team comprising Ifeanyi J. Oguejiofor, Esq., Chief State Counsel, and Ijeoma J. Ugboaja, Esq., Principal State Counsel, was commended for the successful prosecution of the case.

03/10/2026

The Office of the Public Defender provides free legal services to indigent Citizens of Anambra State.

By Chinelo Okeke

The Office of the Public Defender provides free legal services and issue advice to indigent citizens of Anambra State especially women, children and physical disability residents in the state irrespective of tribe, race or religion.Ndi Anambra are called to visit their offices and seek for legal services.

Roseline Okeke, Esq. the Acting Director of the Office, said this yesterday while addressing members of the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of the Ministry of Justice.

Speaking, She emphasized that the duty of the office is to defend those that cannot afford the service of a lawyer, to take up their case on pro bono. She added that the cause of action in which representation is going to be made on behalf of anyone must have occurred within the state. She further stated that the office provides free legal aid both in criminal and civil matters.

Acting Director of the Office of Public Defender made the members of the Monitoring and Compliance Unit to understand that justice is a three way traffic, for the suspect or Defendant, the Victim and the society and as such the Defendant is presumed to be innocent until the guilt is proven by the prosecution. He has a right to defend himself or through a lawyer of his choice as provided in Section 36,(6)(c) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The office has been securing judgment in favor of the Defendant in many cases and advised the monitoring and compliance units to send those cases where the Defendant are not represented by counsel to the office of Public Defender.

She also informed them of the Office of Public Defender Regulations, 2026 made by the Honorable Attorney General of Anambra State for the engagement of legal practitioners to render pro bono services on behalf of the office of Public Defender. And stated that the office also assigned some of the cases to private lawyers that apply to the office to handle on pro bono

Roseline Okeke, Esq. maintained that they have open door policy and that their office is open from Mondays to Fridays .

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
MEDIA TEAM

01/10/2026

HAPPY INDEPENDENT DAY ANAMBRA STATE

30/09/2026

State Attorney General Reviews over 200 Land Related Criminal Cases within the State

By Chinelo Okeke

Barrister Stella Ofokansi, Chairman of the Committee on the Review of criminal cases involving land has said that over 200 land related Criminal Cases are currently Undergoing Review within the State by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Tobechukwu Nweke SAN.

This was made known yesterday during the committee meeting held yesterday Sept.28,2026 at the Ministry of Justice conference hall Awka.

This Committee which was Set up by the hon.Attorney General late July was made up of Lawyers of the ministry and lawyers within the private practice.

Speaking, the Chairman noted that before now, a lot of civil matters have been criminalized which has contributed to a lot of people being in Correctional centers over matters that appear civil that can easily be solved and settled out of court.

Ofokansi maintained that earlier this year, Attorney General Constituted this Committee to create a balance between law officers and people in the private practice.

She emphasized that the committee was Set up to review the land related Criminal Cases in respect to which Complaints have submitted to AG with a view of ascertaining if the case is civil in nature and can be settled with appropriate remedies available in civil suit.

Dr,O L Udemezue,a private practitioner who happens to be the Alternate Chairman of the Committee Commended the efforts of the AG to the Constitution of the Committee as it will help in the decongestion of the Correctional centers in the State which is one of the reforms going on in the State.

He praised the police for Complying with this ongoing move to decongest the Correctional centers and also separate criminal cases from civil.

Nonso O.Emeka the secretary of the Committee maintained that the Committee receives the file,carefully accesses and studies them,writes opinions, recommendations and finally send to the Attorney for his final approval.

He noted that with this move and initiative of the working Attorney General,both the Court, and the litigants will be relieved of stress,waste of time and resources of both.

Chinelo writes for the ministry of Justice Anambra State Awka

29/09/2026

Anambra State Govt.Begins CrackDown on those Denying Females the right to Inherit Property- AG.

By Chinelo Okeke

State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Tobechukwu Nweke SAN has launched steps for the prosecution of those Denying Females of inheritance in the State.

He therefore demanded the police to investigate such Complaints and transmit the case files to his office for prosecution.

Nweke disclosed this in a letter written to the Nigerian police and personally Signed by the Attorney General which was made available to News Men on Monday 26th September 2026.

He noted that the obnoxious practices of denying women and girls their right to Inherit Property because they are female amounts to a crime under section 22 of the Violence against Persons (Prohibition)Law,2017 of Anambra state and punishable with up to four(4)years imprisonment.

'in the light of the foregoing, police are requested to ensure that your office thoroughly investigates all reported cases of gender-based dis-inheritance and transfer the case files to the ministry of Justice for further action,AG added.

The ministry has designated the Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV)Unit in the Ministry to handle the prosecution of offenders under the above law, alongside other forms of domestic violence and sexual offences in other to effectively combat this practice.

Despite the decisions of the Supreme Court declaring as unconstitutional and illegal, customs and practices which exclude females from inheritng property still indulge in these discriminatory practices.

29/09/2026

Conversation with Bar Amarachukwu Muojeke of Ministry of Justice
Part 2

Anambra State Ministry of Justice

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

05/10/2026

04/10/2026

03/10/2026

01/10/2026

30/09/2026

29/09/2026

29/09/2026

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