EDITORIAL: Governor Soludo, Let Not Okey Akaneme’s death Be “An Old News” as ASWAMA Boss Declared

BY TONY OKAFOR

The death of Mr. Theophilus Okechukwu Akaneme, former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), should stir the conscience of all well-meaning Anambra citizens—and, most importantly, the leadership of the state.

The circumstances surrounding his passing, following injuries allegedly sustained during a violent revenue enforcement operation by agents of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), are deeply troubling.

That the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Engr. Mike Ozoemena, could casually dismiss the matter as “old news” is not only insensitive but also a dangerous reflection of the official attitude toward life and justice in Anambra.

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo must not allow this case to fade quietly. This is not just another headline to be replaced by the next news item.

It is a human tragedy—an elderly man attacked in his own home over sanitation fees, paralyzed by agents of the state, and left to battle for his life for months before succumbing to his injuries.

This is not the hallmark of a progressive society—certainly not one led by a first-class scholar, economist, and public intellectual.

Until his death, Akaneme remained a respected figure: publisher, printer, entrepreneur, and family man.

Witnesses say he was assaulted in his home while asking for a moment to dress.

He was reportedly thrown to the ground, his neck broken, his spine damaged. He spent months in hospitals across Onitsha, Nnewi, and Enugu, with the state pledging to foot his medical bills after public outcry.

Now that he has died, the silence from official quarters is both deafening and unacceptable.

That silence is dangerous. It risks normalizing state-enabled violence and emboldening impunity. It sends a chilling message: that anything can happen to a citizen, and nothing will happen in return. But it must not be so. Not this time.

Governor Soludo must act. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.

All those involved in this tragic incident—ASWAMA agents, accompanying police officers, and any supervisors—must be identified, investigated, and prosecuted if found culpable. Anything less would be a profound miscarriage of justice.

Akaneme’s family must also receive adequate compensation. No amount of money can replace a loved one, but restitution signals that the state acknowledges its responsibility and takes it seriously.

Beyond this, there is an urgent need to address the wider issue: the culture of thuggery often associated with revenue enforcement in Anambra. This must end.

A state that boasts the intellectual calibre of a Professor Soludo cannot continue to tolerate crude and violent methods in the name of revenue generation.

Civility—not force—must define public service. Enforcement should be firm, but humane, lawful, and respectful of citizens’ dignity.

Let it not be said that Akaneme died in vain. Let his death be a turning point—a reminder that government exists to protect, not brutalize. If we dismiss this as “old news,” we risk far greater tragedies tomorrow.

Governor Soludo, history watches. The people are watching. Do not let Akaneme become just another statistic. Let justice speak—clearly, loudly, and decisively—so that never again will an Anambra citizen/resident suffer such a fate in the hands of those meant to serve.

Ubi jus, ibi remedium — where there is a right, there is a remedy. Let that remedy not be denied.