EFCC Arraigns Microfinance Bank MD Over Alleged N19million, $30,000 Investment Fraud, Remands Another Suspect

The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged fraud involving N19million and $30,000 entrusted to her for investment purposes. Gozi-Anyaokei was arraigned on Tuesday, May 12, 2025, 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 funds belonging to one Ernest Terkula Jor to personal use instead of investing the money as agreed. One of the charges against her read: “That you, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, sometime in 2022 at Abuja, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, while being the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank was entrusted with the sum of Nineteen Million Naira (N19,000,000.00) by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment, did dishonestly convert the same to your own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, and you thereby committed an offence 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”. The anti-graft agency also accused her of converting $30,000 entrusted to her for investment. The second count read: “That you Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the Judicial Division of this Honourable court while being the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, was entrusted with the sum of Thirty Thousand United States of America Dollars ($30,000.00) by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment, did dishonestly convert the same to your own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, and you thereby committed an offence 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.” When the charges were read to her, Gozi-Anyaokei pleaded “not guilty.” Following her plea, prosecution counsel, S.N. Robert, asked the court to fix a date for trial. Justice Halilu subsequently granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja. The court also ordered her to deposit her travel documents and barred her from travelling outside the country without the permission of the court. The case was adjourned till July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial. In a similar development, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Monday, May 11, 2026, arraigned one Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over an alleged N20million fraud. According to the EFCC, Ifeanachor is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud and money laundering. The anti-corruption agency alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N20million from one Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul under the pretence of supplying 55 all-in-one desktop computer systems. The first count read: “That you Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor, sometime in 2025 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained from one Mr. Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul, the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira Only) under the pretence that the money is committed and for the purchase of 55 pieces all-in-one desktop computer system, a pretence he you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No.14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.” The EFCC further alleged that the suspect laundered the proceeds of the alleged fraud through his Access Bank account. Count two read: “That you Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the Judicial Division of this Honourable court while being the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, was entrusted with the sum of Thirty Thousand United States of America Dollars) ($30,000.00) by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment, did dishonestly convert the same to your own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, and you thereby committed an offence 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.” Ifeanachor pleaded “not guilty” to the charges after they were read in court. Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu, requested a trial date from the court. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till July 6, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial.