The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into a 45-year-old Enugu businesswoman, Stella Ezinne Egotanwa, over allegations that she defrauded 21 jobseekers of ₦8.29 million by promising to secure employment for them at Neo Psychiatric Hospital in Enugu State.
The EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate said the alleged fraud involved a total of ₦8,291,200, reportedly collected from the victims between December 28, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
According to the commission, Egotanwa was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State on July 30, 2026, following complaints from 16 individuals who alleged that she collected ₦6.193 million from them after promising to secure jobs at the hospital.
She was subsequently handed over to the EFCC on August 26 for further investigation.
The commission said five additional complainants later submitted petitions, alleging that they paid the suspect a combined ₦2,098,200 for similar employment promises that were not fulfilled.
The additional complaints brought the number of alleged victims to 21 and the total amount involved to ₦8.29 million.
Victim Recounts Experience
One of the petitioners told investigators that the individual paid ₦1.05 million on December 28, 2025, believing the employment opportunity presented by the suspect was genuine.
The petitioner said the promised job did not materialize after payment and that attempts to contact Egotanwa subsequently became difficult, with calls and messages sometimes going unanswered.
The EFCC further alleged that the businesswoman was awaiting trial in another case involving a similar employment scam.
The commission said its investigation indicated that the money was allegedly collected through several accounts belonging to different point-of-sale (POS) agents.
It added that the suspect had admitted committing the alleged offence and would be charged in court after the investigation was concluded.
The allegations have yet to be determined by a court.