EFCC Arraigns Bank MD, One Other for Alleged N19m, $30,000, N20m Fraud
Abuja, Nigeria, May 15, 2026
The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a bank managing director and another individual over separate allegations involving fraud, illegal conversion, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering amounting to millions of naira and foreign currency.
Bank MD Arraigned Over Alleged N19m and $30,000 Fraud
On Tuesday, May 12, 2025, the EFCC brought Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, 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.
She was accused of dishonestly converting funds entrusted to her for investment purposes.
In count one, she was alleged to have received N19 million from Ernest Terkula Jor in 2022 and allegedly converted same for personal use, contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Act.
In count two, she was also alleged to have received $30,000 from the same complainant under the guise of investment and allegedly converted it to personal use, also contrary to the Penal Code Act.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty.”
Prosecution counsel, S.N. Robert, requested a trial date, while Justice Halilu granted the defendant bail on conditions that she must produce two sureties with landed property within Abuja and deposit her international passport with the court. She was restricted from travelling outside Nigeria without court approval.
The case was adjourned till July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.
Second Defendant Arraigned Over Alleged N20m Fraud and Money Laundering
In a separate development, the EFCC on Monday, May 11, 2026, arraigned Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Justice J. O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, and money laundering involving N20 million.
He was alleged to have obtained the sum of N20 million from Mr. Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul in 2025, claiming it was for the purchase of 55 all-in-one desktop computer systems—an allegation the prosecution said he knew to be false.
He was also accused of laundering the said funds through an Access Bank account, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He pleaded “not guilty,” and prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu, requested a trial date.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till July 6, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja pending trial.
