Former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), Hon. Okey Akaneme, has died from injuries sustained during a violent revenue enforcement operation by agents of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA).
Akaneme was reportedly attacked in his own home during what authorities claimed was a routine levy collection exercise.
Eyewitnesses say ASWAMA agents and armed policemen stormed his residence without prior notice and demanded payment.
A confrontation followed, during which Akaneme was assaulted—allegedly in the presence of his family—leaving him with a broken spine and paralyzed.
He never recovered.
After months of painful struggle, the respected businessman and civic leader passed away, sparking widespread outrage in the state and beyond.
“It is tragic and ironic,” said a close associate. “A man who helped build this city was destroyed by the same system he believed in.”
Akaneme’s death has renewed calls for an overhaul of Anambra State’s revenue enforcement structure, which many say has become a symbol of impunity and brutality.
Civil rights groups and residents accuse revenue task forces of harassment, extortion, and violence under the guise of tax collection.
“This is no longer just about levies,” said a statement from a civic group in Onitsha. “It’s about unchecked power, and a state apparatus that turns against its own people.”
The late Akaneme was widely respected for his efforts to promote ethical business practices and strengthen the link between government and the private sector. During his tenure at ONICCIMA, he was known for his dedication to orderly governance, fairness, and dialogue.
“He believed government should protect, not harm,” a former colleague said. “Now he’s gone, and silence from the authorities is deafening.”
Social media has been flooded with hashtags such as #JusticeForOkey, #OnitshaSpeaks, and #EndBrutality, as the public demands answers and accountability.
Meanwhile, Akaneme’s grieving family continues to seek justice. “He left his bed that morning healthy. He never walked again. Now he’s gone,” a relative said. “Who will be held responsible?”
The tragedy has reignited debate over the unchecked powers of revenue enforcement agencies in Anambra and across Nigeria.
As the state mourns a man it once celebrated, the question remains: When will public service stop becoming a threat to the people it is meant to serve?
