The General Overseer of Dayspring Assembly, Awada, Obosi, Anambra State, Pastor Harrison Anazodo, has pleaded not guilty to an amended eight-count charge bordering on alleged murder, child trafficking and other offences.
Anazodo entered his plea before Justice Jude Obiorah of the Anambra State High Court.
Following the plea, the court adjourned the case to October 30, November 2 and November 16, 2026, for definite hearing.
According to the prosecution, the first count alleged that Anazodo, on or before February 2025, at Awada, Obosi, used his position as a pastor to encourage one of his church members, Ebuka Okanu, to accumulate wealth through supernatural means.
The second count accused the defendant of unlawfully killing Victoria Aneke in 2024 at Awada and retaining her corpse.
In the third count, the prosecution alleged that Anazodo unlawfully took a five-year-old boy, Wisdom Chukwuma, from his parents on or before 2004 at Awada and handed him over to one Simon Ugwuoke as a slave.
The remaining five counts, from the fourth to the eighth, accused the pastor of allegedly separating five women from their families and keeping them in his residence.
The women were identified as Mrs Rachael Nlebedum, Mrs Comfort Ekwunife, Mrs Comfort Obetta, Mrs Faith Chukwuma and Mrs Chukwuka Ezeaonochie Igwe.
The prosecution alleged that the incidents involving the women occurred on or before 2017 at Awada, Obosi, except for the case involving Mrs Ekwunife, which allegedly took place at Mbaukwu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mrs Chineze Ononye-Ekwerekwu, a Chief State Counsel in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, is prosecuting the case.
The defendant is being represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Emeka Anaenugwu.
The case is expected to proceed to hearing on the adjourned dates.
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