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 ₦8.29 million by promising to secure employment for them at a psychiatric hospital in Enugu State.
According to the anti-graft agency, the 45-year-old suspect allegedly collected money from the victims between December 28, 2025, and June 30, 2026, through accounts belonging to different Point of Sale (POS) agents.
The EFCC disclosed the development in a statement published on its official X handle on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The commission said Egotanwa was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State on July 30, 2026, following a complaint submitted by 16 individuals who accused her of collecting money from them under the guise of securing jobs at the hospital.
According to the initial complaints, the suspect allegedly collected a total of ₦6.193 million from the 16 individuals but failed to deliver on the promised employment opportunities.
However, further investigations reportedly uncovered additional alleged victims who claimed to have suffered similar experiences.
The EFCC said five more individuals subsequently submitted petitions against Egotanwa, alleging that they had also paid her money in exchange for promised employment at the same psychiatric hospital.
The commission stated: “In the course of investigation by operatives of the EFCC, additional five individuals submitted petitions against Egotanwa, claiming that the suspect defrauded them the sum of N2,098,200 (Two Million, Ninety-eight Thousand, Two Hundred Naira), after promising to secure jobs for them at the same hospital.”
The additional complaints brought the number of alleged victims to 21, while the total amount involved rose to ₦8,291,200.
Victim Recounts Losing Over ₦1 Million
Recounting the experience of one of the petitioners, the EFCC quoted the individual as saying that they paid Egotanwa ₦1.05 million on December 28, 2025, after believing that the employment opportunity she presented was genuine.
The petitioner said the payment was made in good faith but the promised job never materialised.
“I paid the total sum of N1,050,000.00 on December 28, 2025. I made the payment in good faith because I believed that the employment opportunity she presented to me was genuine.
“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 reportedly stated.
The account highlights the financial losses allegedly suffered by individuals who paid money in anticipation of securing employment at the medical facility.
Suspect Facing Another Employment Scam Case — EFCC
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Egotanwa was already awaiting trial in a separate case involving a similar employment scam.
The commission added that the suspect had admitted committing the alleged offence and would be charged to court after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
The latest case has drawn attention to the dangers of paying individuals who claim they can guarantee employment in public institutions.
Job seekers are generally advised to verify recruitment announcements through official channels and exercise caution when asked to make payments to individuals in exchange for employment.
The allegations against Egotanwa remain subject to the legal process, and the final determination of her criminal liability will rest with the court.
