The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, alongside another suspect, Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor, over separate alleged fraud cases involving millions of naira and foreign currency.
Gozi-Anyaokei was docked 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 bank chief allegedly diverted N19 million and $30,000 entrusted to her by one Ernest Terkula Jor for investment purposes.
One of the charges stated that she dishonestly converted the funds for personal use in violation of the investment agreement while serving as Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank.
The anti-graft agency said the offences contravene Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code Act.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, prosecution counsel, S.N. Robert, requested a trial date, while Justice Halilu granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja.
The court also ordered her to deposit her international travel documents and barred her from leaving the country without court approval.
The matter was adjourned until July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.
In a related development, the EFCC also arraigned Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over an alleged N20 million fraud and money laundering case.
The commission accused Ifeanachor of obtaining N20 million from one Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul under the false claim that the money would be used to purchase 55 all-in-one desktop computer systems.
The EFCC further alleged that the suspect laundered the proceeds through his Access Bank account after allegedly obtaining the funds by false pretence.
He was charged under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act as well as the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Ifeanachor also 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.
The separate arraignments underscore the EFCC’s ongoing crackdown on financial crimes and investment-related fraud across the country.
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