EFCC arraigns bank MD, one other over alleged N59m fraud, $30,000 scam, money laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has separately arraigned a bank managing director and another suspect before two Federal High Courts in Abuja over alleged fraud, illegal conversion of funds, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering involving sums totalling over N59 million and $30,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has separately arraigned a bank managing director and another suspect before two Federal High Courts in Abuja over alleged fraud, illegal conversion of funds, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering involving sums totalling over N59 million and $30,000.
The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday, arraigned Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, before Y. Halilu, Justice of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
She is facing a two-count charge bordering on alleged illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman, Gozi-Anyaokei, while serving as Managing Director of the bank, allegedly received and diverted funds entrusted to her for investment purposes by one Ernest Terkula Jor.
In count one of the charge, the prosecution alleged that she was entrusted with N19 million in 2022 in Abuja for investment purposes but dishonestly converted the funds to her personal use, contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Act and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.
In count two, she was also accused of receiving $30,000 from the same complainant under the same investment arrangement but allegedly converted the foreign currency to personal use in violation of the agreed purpose.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Prosecution counsel, S.N. Robert, thereafter urged the court to fix a trial date.
Halilu granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must possess landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.
The court also ordered her to surrender her international travel documents and barred her from travelling outside Nigeria without judicial approval.
The matter was adjourned until July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.
In a separate case, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, arraigned Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Joyce Abdulmalik, Justice of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Ifeanachor is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering involving N20 million.
In count one, the EFCC alleged that in 2025, the defendant obtained N20 million from one Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul under the false claim that the funds were meant for the purchase of 55 units of all-in-one desktop computer systems—a representation the commission said he knew to be false.
The prosecution stated that the offence contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
In count two, Ifeanachor was further accused of laundering the same N20 million by transferring it into his Access Bank account (Account Number 0095073052), allegedly knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Joyce Audu, Prosecution counsel, requested a trial date following his plea.
Abdulmalik ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, pending trial.
The case was adjourned to July 6, 2026, for commencement of hearing.
