Mrs. Uju Ezeobi, who reported a multi-million-naira land scam involving Mrs. Nkiruka Duru, has allegedly died from 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 Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, alleging inhumane treatment against her. The petition detailed how officers, led by SP Utazi, allegedly collaborated with Duru and her associates to intimidate and unjustly detain Ezeobi.
“She is dead. She was the complainant against Mrs. Nkiruka Duru, who is facing trial for a multi-million-naira land scam. Duru has finally succeeded in using the police to eliminate Mrs. Uju Ezeobi at Zone 13,” a source stated.
The case dates back to 2021 when Mrs. Duru, the president of the United Business Women Association, allegedly lured investors into purchasing land in Achala. She assured them that her organization had secured virgin plots at competitive prices. Trusting her credibility, Ezeobi facilitated the sales, attracting multiple buyers who collectively contributed over N200 million.
However, instead of delivering the promised land, Duru allegedly diverted the funds for personal use, leaving investors defrauded. After multiple failed attempts to resolve the issue amicably, Ezeobi petitioned the Inspector-General of Police. The case was then handled by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Abuja, leading to formal charges against Duru.
Despite the case proceeding to court, recent reports indicate that Duru and her associates attempted to manipulate the legal process. Following a shake-up in the police force that led to the reassignment of officers originally handling the case, Duru allegedly used her wealth and influence to have the case transferred to Zone 13, Ukpo, where she could control the investigation.
On March 24, 2025, in a “commando-style” operation, SP Utazi and his team arrested Ezeobi in Asaba without prior notice or summons. She was taken to Zone 13 and detained overnight, a move her lawyers condemned as unlawful. Shockingly, videos and pictures of her detention were widely circulated on social media platforms linked to Duru.
Rather than conducting an independent investigation, Zone 13 officers reportedly allowed Duru to dictate proceedings, violating an Inspector-General directive (SIGNAL CB;4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.12/48 DTO;211340/11/2024) prohibiting the takeover of cases already being handled by another police unit.
Ezeobi’s legal team argued that there was a calculated effort to detain her indefinitely on trumped-up charges. They alleged that Duru, in collaboration with police officers, was using intimidation tactics to ensure the case file did not return to the DIG FCIID for proper prosecution.
Before her death, Ezeobi’s legal team had formally petitioned the authorities, detailing the fraudulent scheme and the intimidation she faced. The petition outlined how:
Duru allegedly misled Ezeobi into facilitating the sale of non-existent land, collecting over N200 million.
After the scam was exposed, Ezeobi sought justice through the DIG FCIID in Abuja, leading to charges against Duru.
Following a police shake-up, Duru allegedly exploited her influence to move the case to Zone 13, where she could manipulate the process.
On March 24, 2025, Ezeobi was unlawfully arrested in Asaba and taken to Zone 13, where she was detained under inhumane conditions.
While in custody, pictures and videos of her were shared online to humiliate and intimidate her.
Ezeobi’s lawyers had demanded that SP Utazi and his team transfer the case file back to the DIG FCIID for proper prosecution. However, before any action could be taken, she died in custody under suspicious circumstances.
Her death has sparked outrage, with human rights groups calling for an independent investigation into the role of Zone 13 officers and their alleged collusion with Duru. Calls are mounting for justice for Ezeobi, as well as accountability for those responsible for her wrongful detention and tragic demise.
