Anambra State government on Tuesday resolved to take up the medical expenses of a former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Mr Okechukwu Akaneme, who was brutalized by some contractors of Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA).
The State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, who disclosed this to our correspondent in Awka, said the decision was part of resolutions at the 37th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) Meeting held at the State Government House Awka on Tuesday.
Recall that on Friday, October 11, 2024, at about 7 am, Akaneme had his spinal cord broken by agents of the ASWAMA and is currently battling to stay alive at a Hospital in Enugu.
A team from ASWAMA led by one Joseph Okoye and accompanied by two armed Police operatives were said to have come to Mr. Akaneme’s house and mercilessly brutalized him following an argument over unpaid ASWAMA levy.
It was gathered that one of the policemen wove his hands through Mr Akaneme’s armpit and locked it behind his neck, leading to his bone cracking. Instead of taking him to the hospital immediately, they all ran away, leaving the sexagenarian lying immobile on the floor.
The neighbors and Mr. Akaneme’s employees took him to Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital and Maternity, Waterside, Onitsha, Anambra State, from where he was referred to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, where he was driven in the hospital’s Ambulance with life support.
Following a public outcry that trailed the ugly incident, the state government suspended, with immediate effect, the waste management contractor covering the part of Onitsha where Mr. Akaneme was reportedly battered, Messrs Salitz International Ventures, just as the State Police Command has invited the family to aid investigations.
A letter dated 18th November, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tochukwu Obodogha, on behalf of the Commissioner, confirmed the suspension of all operations of Salitz International Ventures, effective immediately, pending the full investigation’s outcome.
Addressing our correspondent after yesterday’s Exco, Commissioner Mefor said the state government has confirmed the severity of the case, having sent a team to ascertain the true situation.
“The State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo had delegated the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike and the MD of ASWAMA, Mike Ozoemena to visit the victim at the hospital where he was receiving treatment.
“The verdict they came back with was that the case was very serious and the Exco agreed that the state government will undertake the medical expenses.
“This does not only cover the money spent already, but all the medical expenses until he is fully recovered,” Mefor said.
