- EFCC Arraigns Man for Allegedly Defrauding US Investors of $525,276
- The anti-graft agency alleged that he defrauded several foreign investors by falsely presenting himself as a facilitator of lucrative investments in mineral resources
- Justice Maureen Adaobi adjourned the matter until March 19, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has arraigned one Victor Ekpong Thompson before the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, over an alleged $525,276 investment fraud involving American citizens.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Thompson was docked on an eight-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences.
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The anti-graft agency alleged that he defrauded several foreign investors by falsely presenting himself as a facilitator of lucrative investments in mineral resources and deep-sea port development projects.
According to the EFCC, the complainants include Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen and others, who were allegedly induced to part with various sums of money based on misrepresentations.
One of the charges stated that Thompson, between April and December 2024, fraudulently obtained $213,350 from the victims, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Thompson pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him in court.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, asked the court to remand the defendant in custody pending trial. However, defence counsel, Savn Daniel, applied for bail on behalf of his client, a request opposed by the prosecution.
Justice Maureen Adaobi adjourned the matter until March 19, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial. She ordered that Thompson be remanded at the EFCC detention facility in Uyo pending further proceedings.
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