Police, Anambra waste management enforcement team manhandle Akaneme, former Onitsha Chamber boss, break his spinal chord

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Police from Onitsha Central Police Station and Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA) Enforcement Team have allegedly manhandled Mr. Okey Akaeneme, former President of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Mine and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), resulting in the damage of his spinal chord.

According to a statement by Akaneme’s colleague at ITP Press (Nig), Mr. Okechukwu Anene, the enforcement team led by one Mr. Joseph Okoye, early morning on Friday, October 11, 2024 at about 7:15am stormed the residence of of Akaneme at No 8B Obi Lane, American Quarters, Onitsha.

On recognizing Okoye who has been a regular face at Obi Lane, when he knocked at his door, Akaneme opened his burglary proof and Okoye entered with others who included two Policemen said to have joined the team from CPS, Ontisha.

When Okoye told Akaneme that they came to arrest and take him to CPS for non-payment of sanitation rate, he told them that he was just waking up, with his sleeping apparel on him and had not brushed his teeth.

But Okoye and his team tried to physically force Akaneme out of his flat to follow them to Police Station.

Anene who quoted Akaneme said one of the Policemen put his hand through his armpit and locked it behind his neck and forcefully pressed his neck continuously, while the others were all over his body with his bone cracking.

When they realised that they had inflicted on him almost fatal injury, Okoye and his cohorts abandoned Akaneme on the floor of his apartment, near the door, “unable to lift a finger or move his legs with his neck broken amdist other injuries”.

It was neighbours, said Anene, a director in the company who saw Akaneme’s door open and his body usually cringed beside his door that alerted one of his employees, who alerted others.

Akaneme was rushed to Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital and Maternity, Waterside Onitsha where he manifested no feelings in his part of the body below his chest .

The doctors who immediately provided improvised neck collar later referred him to Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, (NAUTH), Nnewi with the hospital ambulance that provided life support, where he was kept at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

After an MRI examination the next day, it was established that his spinal chord has been damaged about 65 percent, hence he was referred again to University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, (UNTH), Enugu for more expert management.

Anene said Okoye was arrested but released by the Police who have been shielding the two Policemen and others involved in the matter.

However, the matter has been transfered to the State Police Command Headquarters, Awka following the petition lodged by Akaneme’s colleagues and family.