ABUJA — Clamping down on corporate malfeasance and the diversion of depositor funds within the sub-national financial ecosystem, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially arraigned Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, the Managing Director of Viscount Microfinance Bank.

The high-profile executive was brought before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. She faces a two-count criminal charge bordering on criminal misappropriation, illegal conversion of funds, and obtaining money by false pretence.

The Diversion Scheme: Converting Capital to Personal Use

The prosecution’s administrative brief reveals that the legal troubles for the microfinance boss stem from a series of high-value transactions executed in 2022. According to statements published by EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Gozi-Anyaokei allegedly used her executive position to solicit and receive a combined sum of N19 million and $30,000 from a victim, identified in court papers as Ernest Terkula Jor.

The funds were structurally deposited with the managing director under the explicit agreement that they would be safely funneled into verified, high-yield investment portfolios handled by Viscount Microfinance Bank.

However, instead of deploying the dual-currency capital into the market as promised, the anti-graft agency alleges that Gozi-Anyaokei completely breached her fiduciary duties. Internal tracking logs show that she dishonestly intercepted the cash and converted the entire sum directly into her personal assets, completely cutting off the investor from his capital.

Statutory Violations and Strict Bail Benchmarks

The charges leveled against the financial executive are heavily anchored under the country's penal framework, explicitly referencing Section 311 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990). The offenses are statutorily punishable under Section 312 of the exact same Act. Under this judicial provision, individuals convicted of criminal misappropriation face a mandatory term of imprisonment that may extend up to two years, a heavy institutional fine, or both.

Appearing before presiding trial judge Justice Yusuf Halilu, the defendant maintained a firm defense, pleading not guilty to both counts read out on the court floor.

Following the not-guilty plea, EFCC prosecution counsel S.N. Robert requested the court to establish a definitive trial date to present their witnesses and technical banking evidence. In response, the defense team filed an application for bail, which was closely scrutinized by the bench.

Justice Halilu subsequently granted the accused person bail, but attached strict administrative conditions to prevent her from evading justice. Under the approved terms, Gozi-Anyaokei must provide two reliable sureties who must possess verifiable landed properties within the Federal Capital Territory.

Furthermore, the court ordered the immediate surrender of her international passport and all related travel documents to the court registry, explicitly barring her from embarking on any journey outside Nigeria without obtaining formal judicial clearance. With her bail conditions established, Justice Halilu formally adjourned the matter until July 19, 2026, for the official commencement of the criminal trial.