Anambra State government has commiserated with the family of late Mr Okechukwu Akaneme, a former chairman of Onitsha federated chapel of NUJ, Anambra Council, who died a week ago.

Akaneme, who was also a former president of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, reportedly sustained spinal cord injury early this year when he was brutalized by some tax agents working for the state government.

In a condolence message by the state government, which was signed by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, the state government however insisted that Akaneme was injured by police operatives who came to his residence to enforce a court order.

Parts of the statement read: “We are deeply saddened by his untimely demise, which we understand resulted from the scuffle between him and the police operatives attached to ASWAMA, who had gone for his arrest on the orders of the court.

“We acknowledge Mr. Akaneme’s immense contributions to the development of our society as former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Onitsha Federated Chapel, and a prominent leader in the Onitsha business community.

“On behalf of the Anambra State Government, I extend our deepest