One of the operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA, an enforcement agency of the Anambra State Government involved in the assault and battery of a legal practitioner, Barr. Charles Ifeanyi Nwankwo has been remanded in prison custody until the 8th of May, 2026, pending the proceedings of a lawsuit preferred against him.
The incident had occurred on January 19, 2026, at Eke Awka Market Square, where the lawyer was allegedly attacked by the government task force officials during an encounter.
A viral video obtained by the News Chronicle correspondent shows over 15 OCHA brigade operatives present as some of them beat the legal practitioner mercilessly, before bundling him into a Hilux van.
The News Chronicle investigations revealed that the lawyer was later detained at the OCHA Brigade office, and his younger brother, who came to check up on him, was also detained.
It was further gathered that the intervention of the Awka Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was required before the lawyer was eventually arrested.
The lawyer had proceeded to file a lawsuit against the agency, as efforts made by security operatives to summon the leadership of the agency over the incident were said to have been ignored by the agency’s authorities.
The lawyer also alleged that the state-owned Agunechemba and Udogachi outfits were used to shield those involved from justice.
However, on the 24th of April, one of the OCHA Brigade operatives involved in the incident, Mr. Ibeto Wisdom Onyebuchi, was finally arrested and formally charged at an Awka Magistrate Court Four on the same day with Charge No: MAW/108c/2026.
The presiding Magistrate, E.C. Chukwu, during the session, granted the suspect bail but remanded him in prison custody until the 8th of May 2026.
Part of the bail conditions was that the bail bond would be signed by the OCHA Brigade Commander himself.
Reacting to the development, the NBA Awka Branch, through its Publicity Secretary, Barr. Michael Ozojiofor said the arrest and remand of the operative marks a significant step towards achieving accountability and justice in the matter.
The branch expressed deep concern over the incident and the lack of an immediate official response as well as the absence of meaningful engagement from the leadership of the OCHA Brigade with the branch.
It said the deliberate and sustained efforts it is making to ensure that justice is done are aimed not only at addressing the wrong done but also at serving as a deterrent against any recurrence of such acts of lawlessness.
“We commend the Nigerian Police Force for its professionalism and support in facilitating this outcome.
Their role has been instrumental in upholding the rule of law. We also commend the Human Rights committee of the branch for their dedication & commitment to ensuring justice took its course.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to seeing that the rest of the individuals involved in this brazen act are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. No effort will be spared in pursuing this objective,” the Branch said.
