EFCC Arraigns Viscount Microfinance Bank MD Over Alleged N19Million, $30,000 Fraud, Remands Another Suspect Over N20Million Scam

Abuja, Nigeria– The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged fraud involving N19million and $30,000.

Gozi-Anyaokei was arraigned on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, before Justice Y. Halilu on a two-count charge bordering on illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly converted funds entrusted to her for investment purposes to personal use while serving as the managing director of the microfinance bank.

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 second count stated: “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.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read before the court.

Following her plea, prosecution counsel, S.N Robert, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Justice Halilu subsequently granted the defendant bail on strict conditions, including the provision of two sureties with landed property within Abuja.

The court also ordered her to deposit all travelling documents with the court and barred her from travelling outside Nigeria without express permission from the court.

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

In a related development, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission also arraigned one Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over an alleged N20million fraud.

Ifeanachor was arraigned on Monday, May 11, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud and money laundering.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly obtained N20million from one Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul under the pretence of supplying 55 all-in-one desktop computer systems.

The first charge 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 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 second count stated: “That you Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor, sometime in 2025 at Abuja State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, directly used the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) in your Access Bank Account, bearing Account Name Daniel Ugochukwu Ifeanachor with account number 0095073052 which you knew that such fund is the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: obtaining under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu, prayed the court to fix a trial date.

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