The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, before Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged fraud.
Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei was arraigned on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly converted investment funds entrusted to her for personal use while serving as Managing Director of the bank.
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One of the charges 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, were entrusted with the sum of Nineteen Million Naira (N19,000,000) by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment, and you dishonestly converted the same to your own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, thereby committing 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.”
The second count alleged that the defendant also converted the sum of $30,000 entrusted to her for investment purposes.
The charge stated:
“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, were entrusted with the sum of Thirty Thousand United States Dollars ($30,000) by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment, and you dishonestly converted the same to your own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, thereby committing 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.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to her.
Following her plea, prosecution counsel, S.N. Robert, prayed the court for a trial date.
Justice Halilu subsequently granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must possess landed property within Abuja.
The court also ordered the defendant to deposit her travelling documents and restrained her from travelling outside the country without the permission of the court.
The matter was adjourned till July 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
