The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, before the Federal High Court sitting in the Maitama area of Abuja over alleged fraud.
Gozi-Anyaokei is being prosecuted on a two-count charge bordering on illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.
One of the counts 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 N19,000,000 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.”
She pleaded “not guilty,” following which the prosecution counsel, S.N Robert, prayed the court for a trial date.
The presiding judge, Justice Y. Halilu, granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must have landed property within Abuja.
The defendant, who was arraigned by the EFCC on Tuesday, was also ordered to deposit her travelling documents with the court and must not travel outside Nigeria except with the permission of the court.
Justice Halilu adjourned the matter till July 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
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Similarly, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Monday, May 11, arraigned one Ugochukwu Ifeanachor before Justice J. O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Maitama over alleged fraud.
Ifeanachor is facing prosecution on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud, and money laundering to the tune of N20 million.
Count one 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 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.”
He pleaded “not guilty,” prompting prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu to request a trial date.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till July 6, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, pending the commencement of trial.
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