Special Reports

Viscount MFB MD, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, docked over N19m, $30,000 fraud

Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, the managing director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, Abuja has been docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the federal high court, Abuja, over alleged N19 million and $30,000 fraud.

Gozi-Anyaokei was arraigned before Justice Y. Halilu on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on illegal conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.

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 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.”

The second count 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.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Following her plea, prosecution counsel, S.N. Robert, asked the court for a trial date.

Justice Halilu granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja.

The court also ordered her to deposit her travel documents and barred her from leaving the country without court approval.

The matter was adjourned till July 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.