Viscount Microfinance MD, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei Arraigned For Stealing $30 Million, N19 Million
The Viscount Microfinance Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei has been arraigned before Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
She allegedly stole the sum of $30 million and N19 million which she converted to her personal use.
The money was meant for investment, but converted to her personal use.
She was arraigned on 2-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and illegal conversion of money not belonging to her.
The Viscount Microfinance boss is being prosecuted by the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, according to a statement by the anti-graft spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Thursday.
The EFCC alleged that themfemal3 MD of Viscount Microfinance Bank in 2022 was entrusted with N19 million by one Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment.
She however converted the money to her own use, 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”.
In the count two, EFCC alleged that Gozi-Anyaokei as the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank in 2022 was entrusted with $30,000.00 also by Ernest Terkula Jor for the purpose of investment.
But she also dishonestly converted the funds to her own use in violation of the mode in which the contract is to be discharged, 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.”
She 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 traveling 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.
