EFCC arraigns three over alleged N156.9m fraud, money laundering in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three defendants over alleged stealing, conspiracy, fraudulent conversion and money laundering involving N156.9 million before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The defendants, Chukwu Amaka Goodness, Ajijie Ferdinand Eri and Enyeribe Precious, were arraigned on Friday, November 6, 2026, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

They are facing a 14-count charge involving a total sum of N156,922,521.70.

According to the EFCC, some of the allegations against Goodness and Eri relate to the retention of N75 million and N38.36 million in bank accounts allegedly nominated by them.

One of the charges alleged that the duo conspired in March 2025 to retain N75 million in an account bearing the name Ajijie Ferdinand with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, despite allegedly knowing that the money constituted proceeds of unlawful activities.

Another count accused them of conspiring to retain N38,364,921.70 in an account domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc.

The commission said the alleged offences contravened Section 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

The third defendant, Precious, was accused of fraudulently converting household electronics valued at N7.823 million belonging to Bonnibel Ugochi.

The charge alleged that she committed the offence between February 21 and March 2, 2026, in Lagos, contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act.

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When the charges were read to them, Goodness and Eri pleaded not guilty to 13 of the 14 counts but admitted guilt to the remaining count.

Precious, on her part, pleaded guilty to the charge against her.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility.

Justice Dipeolu subsequently adjourned the case until November 18 and 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial involving Goodness and Eri and a review of facts in the case against Precious.

The judge ordered that Eri be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, while Goodness and Precious were remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre