The Digest:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Orbby Vanessa Agwuncha, a company compliance officer, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for failing to designate a compliance desk officer and establish programmes to combat money laundering. Agwuncha, trading as Bill Interserve Global, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
Key Points:
- Orbby Vanessa Agwuncha was arraigned on charges of violating the Money Laundering Act for failing to appoint a compliance officer.
- The EFCC charged her with failing to develop internal programmes to prevent money laundering and illicit financial flows.
- She pleaded not guilty to both counts before Justice O.A. Egwuata.
- The prosecution requested a trial date to prove the case against the defendant.
- Defence counsel applied for bail, which was granted under stringent conditions.
- Bail was set at ₦50 million with two sureties of Grade 16 status or above.
- The sureties must own verifiable property in Abuja and surrender their travel documents.
- Agwuncha was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met.
- The case was adjourned to February 16, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
This case highlights the EFCC’s intensified regulatory focus on corporate governance and its enforcement of anti-money laundering compliance beyond the financial sector.
Sources: Leadership Newspaper, EFCC.
