EFCC Arrests Madonna University Deputy VC at Abuja Airport Over Alleged Share Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Professor Martin Anagboso, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, over allegations involving fraudulent alteration of corporate share records and attempted theft of ownership in Mayfresh Mortgage Bank.

According to SaharaReporters, Anagboso was intercepted last Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while en route to Mexico for an International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) conference.

His arrest is linked to a petition alleging criminal manipulation of shareholding records at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) involving the late Chief Steven Edeh, Mr. John Paul, and Mrs. Maria Omego.

Sources revealed that Reverend Father Emmanuel Edeh, founder of Madonna University and a major shareholder in Mayfresh Mortgage Bank, was also interrogated by EFCC operatives for over three hours in Elele, Rivers State.

It was further alleged that Anagboso, after being released on bail on Tuesday following five days in custody, has been lobbying Father Edeh to pressure his relatives into withdrawing the petition.

The petition, filed by Edeh’s relatives through legal counsel Olu Omotayo and submitted to the EFCC on May 2, accuses Anagboso of tampering with shareholding documents in violation of Section 175(3) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. The document warns that failure to investigate such acts undermines investor confidence and national economic integrity.

Though the case initially received attention in November 2024 through a petition to the National Security Adviser, it was later transferred to the EFCC. Petitioners claim EFCC investigators previously diverted focus to the bank’s internal administration rather than addressing the alleged criminal actions at the CAC, which they say caused great distress and contributed to Chief Edeh’s death in March 2025.

Confirming the arrest, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that Anagboso was taken into custody, questioned thoroughly, and released on bail under specific conditions. Investigations are ongoing.