Nigeria — Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two Catholic Church sisters for allegedly tampering with shareholders’ documents at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The suspects, Rev. Sisters Annette Ezekwem and Gertrude Okafor, staff members at Madonna University in Elele, Rivers State, were arrested alongside Mr. Mark Egbegolu, Managing Director of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank Limited in Aba, Abia State. They face accusations of fraudulent alterations to shareholders’ names and dates of birth aimed at evading repayment of a N1.2 billion loan obtained in 2020.
Investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Prof. Martin Anagboso, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Madonna University, who allegedly initiated the scheme, was arrested by the EFCC last week. Anagboso reportedly created a debenture in favor of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank to secure the loan. In an effort to avoid repayment, he allegedly conspired with accomplices to alter CAC records, stripping majority shareholders of their rightful holdings and blocking repayment demands.
The suspects are accused of attempting to change details of major shareholders—Chief Steven Edeh (Late), Arc. John Paul, and Mrs. Maria Edeh-Omeogo—to divert loan repayment.
The arrest followed directives from National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to investigate the tampering.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre condemned the alleged acts, urging prompt investigation and prosecution. Its Executive Director, Dr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, emphasized that the case must not be compromised or ignored.
Attempts to reach the suspects for comment were unsuccessful as of Monday.
