The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, arraigned Orbby Vanessa Agwuncha, a company compliance officer, before Justice O.A. Egwuata of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory anti–money laundering regulations. Agwuncha, who operates under the business name Bill Interserve Global, was brought before the court on a two-count charge relating to the failure to appoint a compliance desk officer and to establish internal structures required to combat money laundering and other illicit financial activities.
According to the EFCC, Agwuncha’s company, categorized as a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP) under Nigerian regulations, failed to meet key statutory obligations between September 26 and October 30, 2023. One of the charges accused her of neglecting to designate a compliance officer at management level—an offence contrary to Section 10(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.
The second count alleged that she failed to develop internal programmes to detect and combat money laundering by refusing to establish an Internal Audit Unit, a violation punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the Act. The EFCC argued that such failures weaken national anti–money laundering safeguards and expose businesses to exploitation by criminal networks.
When the charges were read to her in court, Agwuncha pleaded “not guilty.” Following her plea, the prosecution counsel, J.N. Dogonyaro, urged the court to fix a date for trial, stating that the Commission was prepared to prove its case against the defendant.
The defence counsel, however, applied for bail, arguing that the accused was prepared to meet reasonable bail conditions and would be available to stand trial. After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Egwuata granted Agwuncha bail in the sum of ₦50 million with two sureties in the same amount. The sureties, according to the court, must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, must possess verifiable landed property in Abuja supported by a Certificate of Occupancy, and must be individuals of reputable character.
Justice Egwuata further ordered that the sureties deposit their travel documents with the court and barred them from leaving the country without express permission. Agwuncha was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions. The matter was subsequently adjourned to February 16, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The EFCC maintains that the case underscores its commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s anti–money laundering laws, particularly among non-financial businesses that often serve as entry points for illicit financial flows.
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