• Complaint dies
• Police Custody

COMPLAINANT IN MULTI-MILLION NAIRA LAND SCAM ALLEGEDLY TORTURED TO DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY AT ZONE 13 HEADQUARTERS

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  CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
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• 3 min read

Mrs. Uju Ezeobi, the complainant in a multi-million-naira land fraud case involving Mrs. Nkiruka Duru, has reportedly died after alleged torture while in custody at the Nigeria Police Zonal Headquarters (Zone 13) in Ukpo, Anambra State. Her death occurred just hours after her legal team, led by Okolo Ejike Esq., petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over her inhumane treatment. Sources revealed that certain police officers, including SP Utazi, allegedly collaborated with Duru to intimidate and unlawfully detain Ezeobi. “She is dead. She was the complainant against Mrs. Nkiruka Duru, who is facing trial over a multi-million-naira land scam. Duru has finally succeeded in using the police to kill Mrs. Uju Ezeobi at Zone 13,” a source stated. The case dates back to 2021 when Duru, president of the United Business Women Association, allegedly convinced investors to purchase land in Achala, promising virgin plots at competitive prices. Ezeobi facilitated the sales, attracting buyers who pooled over N200 million. However, Duru reportedly diverted the funds, leaving investors defrauded. After failed resolutions, Ezeobi petitioned the IGP, leading to charges filed by the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Abuja. Despite the ongoing trial, Duru allegedly manipulated the legal process after a police reshuffle transferred the original investigators. She reportedly used her influence to move the case to Zone 13, where she could control proceedings. On March 24, 2025, Ezeobi was arrested in Asaba by SP Utazi’s team without prior notice and detained overnight. Videos of her custody were circulated on social media platforms linked to Duru. Ezeobi’s lawyers accused Zone 13 of violating an IGP directive prohibiting case takeovers from other police formations. They alleged a plot to detain Ezeobi indefinitely on fabricated charges to prevent the case from returning to the DIG FCIID for proper prosecution. In their petition before her death, Ezeobi’s legal team detailed how Duru allegedly exploited police connections to sabotage the case. “Our client was arrested in a commando-style operation without formal invitation. This was a desperate attempt to humiliate her and derail the concluded investigation by the DIG FCIID,” the petition read. The lawyers also accused SP Utazi’s team of allowing Duru to photograph and mock Ezeobi in custody, sharing the images online. They demanded the case file be returned to the DIG FCIID for prosecution, citing an existing charge sheet. Ezeobi’s death has sparked outrage, with calls for a thorough investigation into her treatment in custody and the alleged collusion between Duru and police officers. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.