EFCC arraigns two women, man over alleged N156.9m fraud in Lagos
Three Defendants Arraigned on Money Laundering and Fraud Charges in Lagos Court
LAGOS—Three individuals were arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu in Lagos on Friday, November 6, 2026, following a 14-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendants, identified as Chukwu Amaka Goodness, Ajijie Ferdinand Eri, and Enyeribe Precious, face allegations involving a total sum of N156,922,521.70. The charges against Goodness and Eri include conspiracy to unlawfully retain N75 million in a nominated bank account, allegedly linked to their criminal activities.
According to the charge, the alleged conspiracy took place in March 2025. The indictment states, “You, Chukwu Amaka Goodness and Ajijie Ferdinand Eri, sometime in March 2025… conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: retention of the total sum of N75,000,000.00 in an account nominated by you… which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: stealing.” This offense is said to violate Section 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
Another count against the two defendants claims they conspired to retain N38,364,921.70 in a separate bank account held at Zenith Bank Plc. The indictment describes similar allegations of knowing involvement in retaining funds from illicit activities.
Enyeribe Precious, the third defendant, faces separate accusations of fraudulently converting household electronics valued at N7.823 million, belonging to Bonnibel Ugochi, between February 21 and March 2, 2026. The charge maintains that Precious illegally appropriated these items and is subject to the Criminal Code Act, CAP C.38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Upon hearing the charges, Goodness and Eri pleaded not guilty to 13 of the 14 counts but admitted guilt on one count. Precious also entered a guilty plea for her charge.
Following the pleas, prosecution counsel Suleiman I. Suleiman urged the court to schedule trial dates and requested that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility. Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case until November 18 and 20, 2026, for trial proceedings concerning Goodness and Eri, while the court will review the specifics of Precious’s case.
The judge ordered that Eri be held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, while Goodness and Precious were directed to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
