The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of fraudulent conversion of investment funds.
The case was heard on Tuesday, 12 May 2025, before Justice Y. Halilu. Gozi-Anyaokei faces a two-count charge involving illegal conversion and obtaining money under false pretences.
Allegations of Diverted Investment Funds
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly received funds from Ernest Terkula Jor in 2022 for investment purposes but is accused of diverting the money for personal use. The first count states that she was entrusted with N19,000,000.00 by Jor for investment and dishonestly converted it to her own use.
The second count alleges that she similarly converted $30,000 entrusted to her under the same circumstances.
Defendant Pleads Not Guilty, Granted Bail
Gozi-Anyaokei denied the charges when they were read in court. Following her plea, prosecution counsel S.N. Robert urged the court to fix a trial date, while the defence moved for bail.
Justice Halilu granted bail with conditions requiring two sureties with landed property within Abuja. The court also ordered the defendant to submit her international passport and restricted her from travelling outside Nigeria without permission. The matter was adjourned until 19 July 2026 for hearing.
Separate Fraud Case Involving N20 Million
In a related development, the EFCC on Monday, 11 May 2026, arraigned Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the same court over alleged fraud involving N20 million. He faces a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences, advance fee fraud, and money laundering.
Alleged False Computer Purchase Deal
The prosecution alleged that Ifeanachor obtained N20 million from Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul in 2025 under the pretence of supplying 55 all-in-one desktop computers, a claim the EFCC said he knew to be false.
The first count states that he obtained the sum under false pretence. The second count alleges that he retained funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity by using the N20 million in his Access Bank account.
Ifeanachor pleaded not guilty, after which prosecution counsel Joyce Audu requested a trial date. Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. The case was adjourned until 6 July 2026 for the commencement of trial.
