Police probe death of US-based businessman in Lagos hotel

The Lagos State Police Command has begun an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a businessman, Onyejekwe Izuchukwu, whose remains were found in a hotel room in the Ikoyi area of the state.

According Metro gathered that Izuchukwu, who was based in Texas, USA, returned to Nigeria for some business dealings when the tragedy that claimed his life struck on June 9, 2024.

The 62-year-old businessman was said to have lodged in the hotel in Ikoyi while engaging in the business activities that brought him back to the country.

Speaking anonymously to our correspondent on Sunday, a source, who didn’t disclose his name over fear of victimisation, said Izuchukwu started lodging in the hotel on Thursday, June 6, until one of the cleaners, while attempting to clean his room, found him lying motionless on the floor of the room.

According to the source, the cleaner, after suspecting that the businessman had died, informed the management of the hotel and the hotel, through its Chief Security Officer, reported the case to the police.

The source said, “He (Izuchukwu) was a customer, who lodged in the hotel on June 6, 2024, and was found dead in his hotel room on June 9, 2024, around 7 pm by a cleaner in the hotel.

“It was the Assistant Chief Security Officer of the hotel located in Ikoyi who reported that Onyejekwe Izuchukwu, 62, was found dead on the floor of the room he lodged to the police.

“Despite discovering him in that state, a doctor was also invited to assess him and it was the doctor who confirmed him dead.”

Until Izuchukwu’s death, an online platform, okay.ng, hinted that he had served as the President of Bits and Drilling Tools, a division of Schlumberger, where he led the development of innovative drilling technologies designed to reduce costs and improve efficiency in the oil and gas industry.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, when contacted, said the command had commenced an investigation into the case.

He said, “Izuchukwu was found lifeless on the floor of the hotel room. A doctor confirmed him dead and his (Izuchukwu) corpse has been deposited in a morgue in Ikeja for autopsy. The command has commenced an investigation into the case.”