The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, before Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for fraud.
The Bank MD is being prosecuted on a two-count charge bordering on illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.
Count one reads: “That you, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, sometime in 2022 at Abuja, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, while being the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank was entrusted with the sum of Nineteen Million Naira (N19,000,000.00) by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment, did dishonestly convert the same to your own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990) and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.”
Count two reads: “That you Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the Judicial Division of this Honourable court while being the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, was entrusted with the sum of Thirty Thousand United States of America Dollars) ($30,000.00) by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment, did dishonestly convert the same to your own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990) and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.”
Gozi-Anyaokei pleaded “not guilty,” following which prosecution counsel, S. N. Robert, prayed the court for a trial date.
Justice Halilu granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must have landed property within Abuja.
The defendant was also ordered to deposit her travelling documents with the court and must not travel outside the country except with the permission of the court.
The matter was adjourned till July 19, 2026 for commencement of trial.
