Italian man accused of $110k fraud commits suicide in EFCC custody | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Tuesday 19 June 2012

Italian man accused of $110k fraud commits suicide in EFCC custody

By Wilson Uwujaren - EFCC Media & Publicity Unit
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC regrets to announce the passing of 52 years old Italian, Mr. Mauro Zanin (pictured above), a suspected fraudster two days before he was scheduled to appear in court.
He was found motionless in the bathroom of the Commission’s detention facility in Abuja at about 4.50 am on June 19, 2012. He had apparently committed suicide using his bedsheet. All effort by the duty officers and a team of EFCC medical personnel led by Dr. Gideon Osi of the Commission’s Medical Unit to revive him with cardiopulmonary resuscitation proved futile. He was subsequently certified dead at about 5.45 am.

Though all clues point to suicide, the incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police Station, Maitama for investigation.

The deceased was arrested by Officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service following a complaint by one Ahamefula Chibuzor Ewuzie that he fraudulently obtained the sum of $111,000 from Gladwaters Nigeria Limited, and transferred to the Commission on 30th May, 2012 for further investigation.

The Commission had filed a five count charge against him in court and got a Wednesday, June 20, 2012 as hearing date. He was served the court papers to prepare his defence yesterday.

His arrest was officially communicated to the Italian Embassy on 31st May, 2012. The same day, the suspect was granted provisional bail, but he could not get a surety to take him on bail.

While in detention, Mr. Zanin was visited on May 30, 2012, by Mr. Nicola Bazzani, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy; and everyday by his lawyer, Mr.Ugochukwu Onyejiuto. “ It is important to say that I took this matter pro bono, with the hope that he will pay my fees when he is free. I was spending my money feeding him… to my amazement; he refused to let his family know what was going on. He has a 30 year-old son who is a lawyer in Italy but he was always telling them all was well”, Onyejiuto said.

Zanin took his own life a day to his scheduled arraignment. He was supposed to be arraigned before the Federal High Court (5) in Abuja on Wednesday, June 20, 2012.

Dr. Mma Wokocha, the complainant expressed shock at the news of the death of the suspect, wondering how she would recover the huge sum of money obtained from her by the deceased. However, she absolved the Commission of any blame in the death of the suspect. ”Nobody should blame the EFCC. The Commission has done what it has to do, you cannot blame the EFCC...there was total human care for this guy,” she said.
Facts of the Case

The deceased, a confirmed fraudster, allegedly obtained the money from Wokocha under the guise of selling used Dredger Italgraghe SGT 200 to them, to execute some dredging contract in the Niger Delta. The suspect sent them a Bill of Laden but their long wait for the ship, MSC Trinidad to berth was futile. Unknown to the complainant the Bill of Laden was forged as the ship indicated had ceased to exist long before they ever met the deceased three years ago.

The remains of the suspect have been deposited at the mortuary awaiting an autopsy.
Wilson Uwujaren
Ag Head, Media & Publicity

46 comments:

Christopher Prince said...

u sure say dem neva teach dis man 9ja politics???...via web

Lilspicer said...

Maybe he died in detention nigeri police wuld never tell the truth..oneday na oneday..NAIJA WE HAIL THEE(OMO-IWO)SAY SO..VIA BLACKBERRYBOLD.5
WWW.TWITTER.COM/LILSPICER

ade said...

suicide my ass.....

deekay said...

Choi!! Everyday for the thief ......! Let this be a lesson to others. Come on tho, pen and paper?! Seriously?! Naija improve nau ...Haba.

ayowanddy said...

I hope its not a waste of time if i tell u to rest in peace considering the fact that u scammed Nigerians and also killed yourself.

Anonymous said...

If ds is true, then our so called leaders should ashamed of themselves. A commoner committing suicide coz of a shame he caused his country while our own leaders parade themselves as "Lords" with our looted funds in millions of dollars and even getting ridiculous court injunctions...What a shame of a nation.

Anonymous said...

What!!! I blame efcc! What humane? Do u offer bedsheet to a prisoner? His 5days hunger strike last week shld hav opened their empty brains to knw that the man was not tinkin normal

Andrea said...

Let me get this, Dr wokocha wants to know who will pay her now that the accused is dead??? That is a good question. It brings up a very important topic of discussion; Who pays a debt when the original debtor dies??? Linda, Over to your readers!!!

Anonymous said...

This is what 52 looks like? Na wa o.

Anonymous said...

I bet that evn dr wokocha's statement praisin efcc is even a political statement. Deep down am sure she knws they made a blunder

Anonymous said...

Its like too many italians are dying in this country oo,ehn ehn

Dr. Pinch said...

See now even oyibo wan do 419 e no go work naa.So all these oyibo wey full nija come hustle sef. Nigerians be careful of all these oyibos o especially chinese and Lebanese. RIP Dude

Anonymous said...

Ghen ghen! Let d movie start
Michelle

Chikaka said...

Somehow i don't believe this story from EFCC.

Anonymous said...

I cldnt help crying like a baby after I got the news this morning. He was not a frauster,he was a good business man. He lacked proper care in the EFCC commission,he had severe malaria,cldnt eat and was frustrated.After 3 weeks of detention without trial....rest in peace Sir!!!

Anonymous said...

how about this for inspiration
http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/s-african-innovator-takes-water-out-of-showering

DEEFLAMEZ said...

CHAI!!! OYIBO MAGA US INSIDE OUR OWN TERRITORY!!! MOGBE!!! BUSHMEAT DON DEY CHASE HUNTER OH...#Issorait

***Opens Laptop...Yahoo resumes***

@willadebo

Emmanuel Ayeni said...

Linda! Eleyi tun lagbara o! (In Yoruba) This is very serious o..

Hairess™ Human Hair said...

D way ppl commit suicide...........

La Congolaise said...

heeeee!!!! yaya lili (yaya means big sister, congo style,loool)it`s not Bill of Laden, it`s Bill of Lading.

Bisous

La Congolaise said...

heeeeee!!!yaya Linda (yaya it`s to address someone older, congolese style). It`s not Bill of Laden, it`s Bill of Lading,

Bisous.

Anonymous said...

This country una pocket too dey leak...

Anonymous said...

QF
Whoa...sounds lyk he's actually guilty if nt y commit suicide, wat a coward sha

Anonymous said...

QF
Whoa...sounds lyk he's actually guilty if nt y commit suicide, wat a coward sha

Anonymous said...

yeye man. Let him go and face judgement jooo.

joy ojay said...

Nothing should make anyone take his own life. Now you have left your family in pain and sorrow.

joy ojay said...

He should have thought about his family. whatever matter, family is family, they would have forgiven him.

Anonymous said...

Suicide ko, suicide ni!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congolaise Woman,na u wan come teach Linda english?.u no even get the english well self,nobi Lingala be this o!!!Gros Bisous!

cynosure faces said...

I so don't belive that this man committed suicide.....may the Lord grant us the spirit of change in this country!

PRES said...

You dey yahoo? If efcc catch u. Nobody go beg to chop otapiapia. They fear of efcc is the beginning of wisdom.

PRES said...

You dey yahoo? If efcc catch u. Nobody go beg to chop otapiapia. They fear of efcc is the beginning of wisdom

Unknown said...

naija na 4k up country,dem even giv d man beadsheet..if na naija yahoo boi...dem 4 naked man...gud 4 efcc

Anonymous said...

i dnt biliv e committed suicide! Via bb porsche dat i borrowed Frm susan peters..

Anonymous said...

judge no one cos this story is very complicated

shosh said...

Tryn hard 2 blve he commited suicide b it doesn't click. Na only God n d person wey dey lie sabi wetin truly hapun. Eyan meji o le pa danu iro (two pple can't b decieved wit a lie)

Anonymous said...

Thank you o my dear...the man is innocent. These igbos are always disgracing the country, but you will never hear of it on LIB.. Thief thief people. They have set this man up. How could he (as they claimed) have scammed them for such a huge amount of money, and somehow could not raise the money for his bail? Bastards! You demons have spoilt things for innocent nigerians in Italy.. The disaster with Italians in this country has become one too many. You lot shld know that Italians r not very forgiving. Them don go kill the man/discourage potential investors.... If I wish for Naija to split, it won't be because of any other tribe but Igbo animals. I've said my piece. If you like kill yourselves.

Anonymous said...

{{{GBAGAUN}}} Bill of Lassing nko?

Anonymous said...

mmmmmh

Anonymous said...

Anon June 20, 2012 8:12 AM tribalistic idiot, shut up. Turn your eyes to Farouk Lawan and Femi OteDOLLAR.

deekay said...

So Igbos are able bigger prob than boko haram? Etc. These are ur fellow human beings and fellow Nigerians u r referring to like this. No wonder naija is the way it is. And on Sunday u will go to church, or mosque on Friday. Carry on.

deekay said...

P.s you're the one killing urself. If u doubt me read your post again.

Bloginatu said...

italians are racist, treat black women like dogs. i bet naja 'suspects' die like mad either in their prisons or via forceful deportation.

THAT SAID, this his 'suicide' stinks! You sure say he no get valuable info wey make dem 'mud' am?

Anonymous said...

Anon @June 20, 2012 8:12 AM please just shut your dirty stinking ignorant tribalistic mouth. What the hell do you even know that you're just spweing such stupidity!!! Who says that just because he couldn't make bail he didn't commit a crime, afterall you see hundreds of successful people all around the world that are rich today poor tomorrow - it's called living extrvegantly and not managing your finances. There are fraudulent people in every race/tribe/region, to make the assumption that the family is lying and the man is innocent just because he is Italian and they are Igbo further hightlights your level of reasoning. Read the final paragraph that begins with "The deceased, a confirmed fraudster"....CONFIRMED you brainless idiot, do you even know the meaning of that? THINK before you open your mouth and just pollute the earth with your IGNORANCE! That is all...if YOU like go and kill YOURSELF ODE!!!

Anonymous said...

dis guy na mumu. He go just share part of the money and before we know it he go don land for italy. If I lie ask Otedola.

Anonymous said...

Guy, go hug d nearest transformer or beta stil jump into any river close to u. Oshi ode

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