The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation 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 a psychiatric hospital in Enugu State.
According to the commission, the 45-year-old suspect allegedly collected the money from the victims between December 28, 2025, and June 30, 2026, through accounts belonging to various Point of Sale (POS) agents.
In a statement published on its X handle on Tuesday, October 20, the EFCC disclosed that operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested Egotanwa in Anambra State on July 30, 2026, following a complaint from 16 individuals.
The initial complainants alleged that the suspect collected N6.193 million from them after promising to secure jobs at the psychiatric hospital but failed to fulfil her promises.
The commission said five additional individuals subsequently submitted petitions, alleging that Egotanwa collected another N2,098,200 from them under the same employment arrangement.
The additional complaints brought the total number of alleged victims to 21, with the amount involved rising to N8,291,200.
One of the petitioners reportedly told the EFCC that they paid N1.05 million on December 28, 2025, believing the employment opportunity was genuine.
The petitioner said the promised job never materialised and that the suspect later became difficult to reach, often failing to respond to calls and messages.
The EFCC further alleged that Egotanwa was awaiting trial in a separate case involving a similar employment scam.
The commission added that the suspect had admitted to the alleged offence and would be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
