A foreigner held in remand custody at the prison complex in Maafushi island of Kaafu atoll has passed away.

Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) revealed that Emmanuel Jean-Paul Okonachi, a 35-year-old Nigerian citizen who was in remand custody at Maafushi Prison, died on Wednesday.

According to Corrections, Emmanuel collapsed abruptly while playing with others in the yard on Wednesday evening. He was immediately taken to the Medical Center of Maafushi Prison for urgent treatment, and within four minutes, he was transferred to Maafushi Hospital where treatment was initiated. The doctor pronounced him dead at approximately 05:20pm.

Further, Corrections revealed that he was a person held in remand custody for a case involving possession, use, and trafficking of drugs in the Maldives. They also mentioned that he was not a person receiving treatment for any chronic illnesses.

In connection with the death of the foreigner, Corrections revealed that they have informed the Inspector of Correctional Service, Maldives Police Service, Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, National Integrity Commission, and the Prosecutor General's Office of the death of the inmate.