EFCC ARRAIGNS MICROFINANCE BANK MD, ANOTHER OVER ALLEGED N39M, $30,000 FRAUD
Read Time:1 Minute, 48 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, and another suspect, Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor, before separate Federal High Courts in Abuja over alleged fraud involving millions of naira and foreign currency.
Gozi-Anyaokei was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly converted N19m and $30,000 entrusted to her by one Ernest Terkula Jor for investment purposes to personal use in 2022 while serving as Managing Director of the microfinance bank.
One of the charges stated that she dishonestly converted the N19m investment “in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged,” contrary to Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code Act.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that she converted an additional $30,000 meant for investment purposes.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, prosecution counsel S.N. Robert requested a trial date, while Justice Halilu granted her bail with two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja.
The court also ordered her to surrender her travel documents and prohibited her from travelling outside Nigeria without court approval.
The matter was adjourned until July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.
In a separate case, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arraigned Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on allegations of obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud, and money laundering involving N20m.
According to the EFCC, Ifeanachor allegedly obtained N20m from one Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul in 2025 under the false claim that the money would be used to purchase 55 all-in-one desktop computer systems.
The commission further alleged that the suspect laundered the funds through an Access Bank account bearing his name.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until July 6, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0