By: Ganiyu Olayinka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought two separate fraud cases before Federal High Courts in Abuja, with the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank and a second suspect each facing charges involving millions of naira and foreign currency.
Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, the bank’s Managing Director, appeared before Justice Y. Halilu at the Federal High Court in Maitama on Tuesday, charged with illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence. Prosecutors allege that in 2022, while heading the microfinance bank, she diverted N19 million and $30,000 entrusted to her by a client, Ernest Terkula Jor, for investment purposes, using the funds for personal benefit instead. One count of the charge holds that she dishonestly converted the N19 million investment in a manner contrary to the agreed terms, in breach of Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code Act.
Gozi-Anyaokei pleaded not guilty. Justice Halilu granted her bail on the condition that she provide two sureties who own landed property within Abuja. She was also ordered to surrender her travel documents and is barred from leaving Nigeria without the court’s prior approval. The trial is scheduled to begin on 19 July 2026.
In the second case, Ugochukwu Daniel Ifeanachor was arraigned before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, also at the Federal High Court in Maitama, on charges of obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud, and money laundering. The EFCC alleges that in 2025 Ifeanachor fraudulently obtained N20 million from Ezekwuche Chinedu Paul by falsely claiming the funds would be used to purchase 55 all-in-one desktop computers, before laundering the money through an Access Bank account in his name.
Ifeanachor also pleaded not guilty. Justice Abdulmalik ordered that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial, with the case adjourned to 6 July 2026.