(DDM) – A disturbing case of alleged brutality by revenue enforcement agents in Anambra State has sparked outrage across the state and beyond.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the deceased, identified as Mr. Okechukwu Theophilus Akaneme, a former chairman of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, reportedly suffered fatal injuries after being beaten by state revenue agents on October 11 last year.
Eyewitness accounts claim the assault stemmed from a dispute over unpaid waste management fees.
Family sources stated that Mr. Akaneme, who was reportedly in good health before the incident, sustained a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.
Despite being rushed to the hospital and admitted into the intensive care unit, the businessman never fully recovered.
Medical expenses reportedly soared to ₦80 million, of which the Anambra State Government allegedly paid only ₦40 million, leaving the bereaved family with an outstanding debt of ₦40 million.
Critics say this tragic incident underscores what they describe as a culture of “revenue enforcement rascality” under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
Business leaders argue that the practice of aggressive tax enforcement is driving fear among traders and investors in Anambra.
The video that went viral, obtained by DDM, named Mr. Joseph Okoye of Aswama as the alleged leader of the team that attacked Akaneme.
Police officers who reportedly accompanied the enforcement team have also been accused of complicity in the incident.
Sources close to the case say the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State has yet to make arrests, raising concerns about possible compromise or incompetence.
The victim’s family has called on the state government to take responsibility, prosecute those involved, and provide adequate compensation beyond partial hospital payments.
Human rights advocates have also joined the call for justice, warning that the impunity surrounding such incidents erodes public confidence in government institutions.
Critics argue that the value placed on human life under the current administration appears alarmingly low, citing similar complaints of excessive force by state task forces in the past.
Governor Soludo, a professor of economics and former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, is facing mounting pressure to respond to allegations that his administration tolerates reckless enforcement practices.
Analysts say the incident could damage Anambra’s image as a safe and viable destination for investors.
Security and respect for human rights, they argue, are prerequisites for attracting major investments and fostering economic growth.
Political observers believe the government’s response to this case will be a major test of its commitment to justice, transparency, and the rule of law.
As public outrage grows, civil society groups, including the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), are reportedly considering mass campaigns to demand accountability.
The late Mr. Akaneme has since been buried, but his family remains burdened by financial debt and grief.
Calls for justice continue to echo across Anambra, with residents asking how much value Governor Soludo places on the life of an ordinary citizen.
The police, the government, and all agencies involved are yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing these allegations.
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