EFCC Arraigns Trio Over N156.9m Fraud in Lagos

​LAGOS — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, has arraigned three suspects—Chukwu Amaka Goodness, Ajijie Ferdinand Eri, and Enyeribe Precious—before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

​The trio was docked on Friday, November 6, 2026, over a 14-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, alleged stealing, fraudulent conversion, and money laundering totaling \text{N}156,922,521.70.

​Anatomy of the 14-Count Charge

​According to the prosecution led by Suleiman I. Suleiman, the charges detail elaborate schemes involving illegal fund retention and property conversion across multiple financial institutions:

• ​The Money Laundering Counts: The first and second defendants, Goodness and Eri, allegedly conspired in March 2025 to retain \text{N}75,000,000 in a Moniepoint Microfinance Bank account (No. 6013401684) and \text{N}38,364,921.70 in a Zenith Bank Plc account (No. 2729506481) under the name “Ajijie Ferdinand” / “Ferdinand Ajijie.” Prosecutors noted that the defendants reasonably ought to have known that these funds formed the proceeds of unlawful activity, specifically stealing, thereby violating Section 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
• ​The Conversion Count: The third defendant, Precious, faced separate charges for allegedly converting household electronics valued at \text{N}7,823,000, belonging to Bonnibel Ugochi, between February 21 and March 2, 2026. This offense contravenes Section 383 and is punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C.38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

​Defendants Enter Mixed Pleas

​When the 14 counts were read in open court, the defendants offered mixed legal responses:

• ​First and Second Defendants: Chukwu Amaka Goodness and Ajijie Ferdinand Eri pleaded “not guilty” to 13 counts, but entered a “guilty” plea to the remaining count.
• ​Third Defendant: Enyeribe Precious entered a “guilty” plea to the single charge brought against her.

​Following the plea entries, prosecution counsel Suleiman I. Suleiman requested a formal trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in correctional custody pending the conclusion of the proceedings.

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​Court Adjournment and Remand Directives

​Justice Dipeolu granted the prosecution’s applications, adjourning the matter to November 18 and November 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial for the first and second defendants, as well as a review of the facts for the third defendant.

​The presiding judge ordered that Ajijie Ferdinand Eri be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, while Chukwu Amaka Goodness and Enyeribe Precious were remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

​For additional context on the commission’s broader enforcement metrics and asset recovery efforts, you can watch this EFCC Convictions and Recovery Overview. This video provides background on how the anti-corruption agency handles high-profile financial crime cases and asset tracing.