Desmond Nunugwo, a suspect under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, died on Friday few hours after he was taken into custody, the agency said in a statement.
Nunugwo’s death was confirmed at the hospital where he was rushed after he suddenly took ill.
The EFCC said he fraudulently obtained N91 million from an acquaintance after he tricked her into believing that he had high net worth business associates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who were at the verge of buying Nicon Insurance and convinced her of their disposition to help her stock fish business.
Consequently, the acquaintance wired N91 million into Nunugwo’s nominated account (Mainagge General Merchants) in Diamond Bank.
After the transfer of the funds, the suspect was said to have become evasive, forcing the complainant to report the transaction to the EFCC.
“Mr. Nunugwo was arrested in Utako, Abuja, at about 5.33pm on Thursday, June 9, 2016,” a statement signed by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said.
“His statement was taken, where he admitted receiving the money from the complainant, with the additional information that he transferred N30m of the said money to Norway. But he could not explain the whereabouts of the balance of N61m.
“The suspect was detained at about 7.30pm, in the absence of anybody to take him on bail.
“Six hours later, he suddenly complained of discomfort and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead,” the statement said.
The commission said the incident had already been reported at the Wuse Police Station, where investigation into the cause of the sudden death has commenced.
