The EFCC Arraigns Three for Alleged N156.9m Fraud in Lagoshas arraigned three defendants over alleged stealing, conspiracy, fraudulent conversion and money laundering involving ₦156.9 million before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The defendants, identified as Chukwu Amaka Goodness, Ajijie Ferdinand Eri and Enyeribe Precious, were arraigned on Friday, November 6, 2026, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to the EFCC, the trio face a 14-count charge bordering on financial crimes involving a total of ₦156,922,521.70 (One Hundred and Fifty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-One Naira, Seventy Kobo).
The charges against the first and second defendants, Goodness and Eri, include conspiracy and alleged retention of funds suspected to be proceeds of stealing, while the third defendant, Precious, is accused of fraudulently converting household electronics valued at ₦7.8 million belonging to another individual.
One of the counts against Goodness and Eri alleged that they conspired in March 2025 to retain ₦75 million in an account nominated by them in the name of Ajijie Ferdinand, domiciled with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that the money formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activities, particularly stealing.
The charge stated that their alleged action contravened Section 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
In another count, the two defendants were accused of conspiring to retain an additional ₦38,364,921.70 in an account bearing the name Ferdinand Ajijie, domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc.
The commission alleged that the funds were also proceeds of stealing and that the defendants reasonably ought to have known their illicit origin.
The charge against the third defendant, Precious, bordered on the alleged fraudulent conversion of household electronics valued at ₦7,823,000.
According to the EFCC, Precious allegedly converted the items, identified as Edet Eyo household electronics, belonging to Bonnibel Ugochi, between February 21 and March 2, 2026, in Lagos.
The commission said the alleged offence contravened Section 383 and is punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
When the charges were read to the defendants, Goodness and Eri pleaded not guilty to 13 of the 14 counts preferred against them but admitted guilt to the remaining count.
Precious, on her part, pleaded guilty to the charge brought against her.
Following the pleas, prosecution counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, urged the court to fix dates for the commencement of trial and the review of facts in the case involving the third defendant. He also requested that the defendants be remanded in correctional facilities pending further proceedings.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently adjourned the case until November 18 and 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial in respect of Goodness and Eri, and a review of facts in the case involving Precious.
The judge ordered that Eri be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, while Goodness and Precious were remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The proceedings will continue on the adjourned dates as the court considers the allegations against the defendants and the next steps in their respective cases.FCC Arraigns Three Over Alleged ₦156.9m Fraud, Money Laundering in Lagos
