Nigerian Man Kills Jeweller, Declared Wanted As He Flees Thailand

After killing a jeweller in a Bangkok hotel on Sunday, a Nigerian man identified as John Odoemenam fled Thailand. John, who allegedly uses a fake South African passport named Mzwakhe Memela, has already been declared wanted for the Thai woman’s assassination.

Police said on Sunday morning, Odoemenam was seen in security camera footage leaving Susama Ruenrit’s 35-year-old room from Kanchanaburi. Staff later discovered her lifeless body.

The hotel receptionist, Payu Srikhung, said he and other staff checked the room at noon on Sunday after Susama failed to pay her bills. The deceased did not answer the door, so Payu used a spare key and found the body wrapped in a sheet.

She had been hit on the head. Police said the jeweller checked into the hotel at 9.50pm on Saturday before going out and returning at 4 am. The security cameras show Odoemenam entering her room at 8 am Sunday and leaving at 8.45.

He is seen walking towards the elevator while staring at Susama’s room. Police suspect that the suspect went to the room to cut a deal involving jewellery but when negotiations went wrong, he struck and killed her.

He was said to have fled to Hong Kong immediately after committing the crime because he knows Hong Kong doesn’t have an extradition treaty with Thailand.