The Anambra high court sitting in Awka on Tuesday denied an alleged fake Pastor and General Overseer of Day spring Assembly Mr Harrison Anazodo bail .

Anazodo had applied for bail on health grounds but the presiding Judge Hon Justice Jude Obiora denied him bail.

This is as seven persons believed to members of his church have lined up to testify against him.

Speaking shortly after the matter was adjourned to October 16th this year state Counsel

Victoria Ekwerekwu said: “We thank Governor Charles Soludo for trying to sanitize our society from pastors who go to make the younger generation believe that making money without hard work exists.

“Today there is a premer -facia case against the fake Pastor that is standing trial; Mr Harrison Anazodo though it is left for us to prove it beyond reasonable doubt”

“The Court ruled on the motion for bail and the Court denied him because of the witnesses so that witnesses would not be interfered with and the case was adjourned to 16th day of October” she said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information Dr Law Mefor expressed optimism that the matter would be dispensed with in due time adding that it is left for the Court to decide.

“We have been here since 9 am and the ruling on the bail applications applied by his Counsel and after weighing the merit of that application the Judge said the bail is denied”

“We are looking for the quick dispensation of the matter and we assure you that justice would be done and seen to have been done ” he noted.

Meanwhile, there was mild drama following Anazodo’s arrival as persons suspected to be supporters and members of his church attacked journalists and cameramen while trying to smuggle him into the courtroom.

The supporters, who covered the cleric with umbrellas and their hands to shield him from cameras, pushed journalists with the vehicle that conveyed him as it reversed to the entrance door of the court.

Some journalists reportedly had their phones damaged in the altercation, while the supporters occupied every available space in the courtroom, leaving no room for journalists and other observers.

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

He said: “My attention was drawn to the fact that the defendant standing criminal trial, Pastor Harrison Anazodo, came to the court premises with some persons who attacked members of the press and damaged their gadgets. I had to enter the courtroom and inform the court of that unfortunate incident, for two reasons: the court premises and the courtroom are hallowed places, and secondly, journalists are the eyes and ears of the public and must be respected at all times.”

“I condemned that attitude, reported the incident to the court, asked the court to take note of that conduct in the proceedings of the case, and indicated that I would escalate it to law enforcement authorities,” Nweke said.

According to the Attorney-General, counsel to the defendant apologised to him, to members of the press and to the court, and accepted the condition to replace the damaged gadgets.

“The court delivered a bench ruling accepting the apology, directing that the gadgets be replaced, and appealing to me to let the matter rest. This is fundamental to the extent that it re-emphasises the freedom of the press to carry out their duties,” he said

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