EFCC charges Bank executive, co-defendant in alleged N39m fraud case

The Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that she converted investment funds totalling N19 million and $30,000 to personal use.

Gozi-Anyaokei was docked before Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, on a two-count charge bordering on illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, the defendant is being prosecuted by the commission’s Abuja Zonal Directorate.

The EFCC alleged that in 2022, while serving as Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Gozi-Anyaokei was entrusted with N19 million by one Ernest Terkula Jor for investment purposes.

The anti-graft agency claimed she dishonestly converted the funds for her personal use, contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Abuja 1990), and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.

In the second count, the commission alleged that the defendant also received $30,000 from the same complainant in 2022 for investment, but similarly diverted the funds in violation of the contractual agreement.

Following her plea, prosecution counsel S.N. Robert asked the court to fix a date for trial. Justice Halilu granted the defendant bail on conditions, including the provision of two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja. She was also ordered to deposit her travel documents with the court and barred from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval.

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The matter was adjourned until July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.

In a related development, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the EFCC also arraigned Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, on charges of fraud, advance fee fraud and money laundering amounting to N20 million.

According to the charge sheet, Ifeanachor allegedly obtained N20 million in 2025 from one Mr. Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul under the pretence that the funds were meant for the purchase of 55 all-in-one desktop computer systems — a claim the EFCC said he knew to be false.

The alleged offence contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

In the second count, the defendant was accused of laundering the N20 million through his Access Bank account, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Act.

Ifeanachor also pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Joyce Audu subsequently requested a trial date.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until July 6, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial.

The EFCC reiterated its commitment to pursuing financial crimes and ensuring accountability in the financial and business sectors.