By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Government has suspended the activities of Salitz International Ventures, a waste management company, over an alleged assault on Akaneme Okechukwu, a former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce.
This decision comes after The Razor Newspaper exposed the horrific incident, prompting widespread outrage and an outpouring of support for Mr. Akaneme.
According to reports, Mr. Akaneme suffered paralysis due to physical manhandling by government authorities during a revenue drive
. The incident took place at the victim’s residence in Onitsha on October 11, 2024.
The Anambra State Ministry of Environment initiated a comprehensive investigation, leading to the suspension of Salitz International Ventures.
The suspension letter, signed by Tochukwu Obodogha, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, emphasized the state government’s zero-tolerance policy toward human rights abuse .
The letter stated that the suspension was to allow for a full investigation to be carried out on the alleged assault.
The Anambra State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of human rights abuse in the discharge of official duties by any of its agents, the suspension letter maintained.
The government has directed the Anambra State Waste Management Authority(; ASWAMA) to suspend Salitz International Ventures’ waste management operating license pending the outcome of the investigation.
