An Awka Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of an OCHA Brigade Official for brutalizing a legal practitioner at Eke Awka Market.
The operative, identified as Mr. Ibeto Wisdom Onyebuchi of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade, was arrested and arraigned before Awka Magistrate Court Four on April 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged attack on Barrister Charles Nwankwo.
The incident happened on January 19, 2026, at Eke Awka Market Square, where Barrister Nwankwo was reportedly confronted by OCHA Brigade officials during what witnesses described as a routine enforcement exercise.
A viral video that circulated widely on social media showed more than 15 operatives at the scene, with some seen physically assaulting the lawyer before forcefully bundling him into a Hilux van.
The legal practitioner was allegedly detained at the OCHA Brigade office alongside his younger brother, who had reportedly gone to inquire about his whereabouts.
Sources confirmed that it took the intervention of the Awka Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) before the lawyer was eventually released from custody.
Following his release, Barrister Nwankwo filed a lawsuit against the agency, alleging assault, unlawful detention and abuse of power.
Efforts by security operatives to summon the leadership of the OCHA Brigade over the matter were reportedly ignored, escalating tensions between the agency and the legal community.
There were also allegations by the lawyer that certain state-owned security outfits, including Agunechemba and Udogachi, were used to shield those involved from investigation and possible prosecution.
However, on April 24, one of the operatives seen in the viral footage, Mr. Onyebuchi, was arrested and charged under Charge No: MAW/108c/2026.
During proceedings, the presiding Magistrate, E.C. Chukwu, granted the defendant bail but ordered that he be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of bail conditions.
One of the conditions stipulated that the bail bond must be signed personally by the OCHA Brigade Commander, a development observers say underscores the seriousness of the case.
The matter was adjourned to May 8, 2026.
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