Complainant in multi-million-naira land fraud case dies in police custody

Mrs. Uju Ezeobi, a key complainant in a multi-million-naira land fraud case, has allegedly died in police custody at Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra State.

The complainant death occurred just hours after her legal team, led by Okolo Ejike Esq, petitioned Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged mistreatment. The case dates back to 2021 when Nkiruka Duru, president of the United Business Women Association, allegedly defrauded investors of over N200 million by selling non-existent land in Achala.

Ezeobi, who facilitated the sales, later petitioned the police when Duru failed to deliver the promised land. The matter was initially investigated by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Abuja, leading to formal charges against Duru.

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However, after a police shake-up, Duru allegedly used her influence to have the case reassigned to Zone 13, where she could manipulate the proceedings. On March 24, 2025, SP Utazi and his team arrested Ezeobi in Asaba in what has been described as a “commando-style” operation, detaining her overnight without prior summons.

Shocking images of her detention circulated on social media platforms linked to Duru. Despite an Inspector General directive preventing case takeovers by another police unit, Zone 13 officers allegedly allowed Duru to dictate the investigation. Ezeobi’s legal team accused the police of fabricating charges to detain her indefinitely and block the case from returning to the DIG FCIID for prosecution.

Her sudden death in custody has sparked outrage, raising concerns of police complicity. Legal representatives had earlier urged authorities to transfer the case back to the FCIID, warning of intimidation tactics used against Ezeobi. Now, they demand justice for her tragic and suspicious death.