The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigations into a businesswoman, Stella Ezinne Egotanwa, over allegations that she defrauded 21 people of N8.29 million by promising to secure employment for them at the Neo Psychiatric Hospital in Enugu State.
The EFCC disclosed that the 45-year-old suspect allegedly collected a total of N8,291,200 from the victims between December 28, 2025, and June 30, 2026, under the pretext of facilitating their employment at the hospital.
According to the commission, Egotanwa was arrested on July 30, 2026, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State, following complaints from 16 individuals who accused her of collecting N6.193 million from them without securing the promised jobs.
She was subsequently handed over to the EFCC on August 26, 2026, for further investigation.
The commission said that during its investigation, five additional individuals submitted petitions against the suspect, alleging that she collected another N2.098 million from them after promising to secure employment for them at the same hospital.
One of the petitioners said she paid Egotanwa N1.05 million on December 28, 2025, believing that the employment opportunity was genuine.
“I paid the total sum of N1,050,000 on December 28, 2025. I made the payment in good faith because I believed that the employment opportunity she presented to me was genuine,” the petitioner reportedly stated.
She added that the promised employment did not materialise despite the payment, while subsequent attempts to reach the suspect proved difficult.
“However, after making the payment, the promised employment did not materialise. I subsequently experienced difficulty reaching her, and there were periods she did not respond to my calls or messages,” the petitioner said.
The EFCC said investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained the money from the 21 victims through false pretences, using accounts belonging to different Point-of-Sale (POS) agents to receive the payments.
The commission further disclosed that Egotanwa was already awaiting trial in another case involving a similar allegation of employment fraud.
According to the EFCC, the suspect has admitted committing the alleged offence.
The commission said she would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
