EXTRA: EFCC arraigns compliance officer for failing to appoint ‘compliance desk officer’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Orbby Vanessa Agwuncha, a compliance officer at Bill Interserve Global, for allegedly failing to appoint a compliance desk officer and develop programmes to combat money laundering and other illegal financial acts.

The anti-graft agency arraigned Agwuncha before the federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday.

In a statement on Thursday, EFCC said Agwuncha was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering and also accused her of “failure to designate at management level a compliance officer within any strata of the company”.

According to the EFCC, the offence contravenes section 10 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Section 10 (1) of the legislation states: “Every financial institution and designated non-financial business and profession shall develop programmes to combat the laundering of the proceeds of a crime or other unlawful acts, and these shall include— (a) the designation of compliance officers at management level at its headquarters and at every branch and local office.”

However, Agwuncha pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After pleading not guilty to the charges, J.N. Dogonyaro, the prosecution counsel, asked the court to fix a date for trial.

However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to grant the defendant bail.

After the arguments, Obiora Egwuata, the presiding judge, granted bail to Agwuncha in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge ordered that the sureties must not be below grade 16 and must possess verifiable landed property in Abuja with a certificate of occupancy.

Egwuata also ordered that the sureties must deposit their travelling documents with the court and must not travel outside the country except with the permission of the court.

The judge ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Kuje correctional facility pending the completion of her bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to February 16, 2026, for commencement of trial.