The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, alongside another defendant, Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor, before separate judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged fraud and money laundering offences involving millions of naira and foreign currency.
Gozi-Anyaokei was brought before Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on alleged illegal conversion and obtaining money under false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the defendant, while serving as Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank in 2022, allegedly converted N19 million entrusted to her by one Ernest Terkula Jor for investment purposes to personal use.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that she also dishonestly converted $30,000 belonging to the same investor in violation of the investment agreement between both parties.
The commission said the alleged offences contravened Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following her plea, prosecution counsel, S.N. Robert, requested a date for trial, while Justice Halilu admitted the defendant to bail with two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja.
The court also directed her to deposit her travel documents and barred her from travelling outside the country without the court’s approval.
The matter was adjourned till July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.
In a related development, the EFCC on Monday arraigned Ifeanachor before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged N20 million fraud and money laundering.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud and laundering proceeds of unlawful activity.
According to the EFCC, Ifeanachor allegedly obtained N20 million from one Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul in 2025 under the guise of supplying 55 all-in-one desktop computer systems, a representation the commission said was false.
The anti-corruption agency further alleged that the suspect subsequently used the funds through his Access Bank account despite allegedly knowing the money constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the arraignment, prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu, urged the court to fix a date for trial.
Justice Abdulmalik thereafter adjourned the case till July 6, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
