The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has arraigned Victor Ekpong Thompson before Justice Maureen Adaobi of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo over an alleged fraud involving $525,276.
Thompson was arraigned on Thursday, January 29, 2026, on an eight-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence. He is accused of defrauding several Americans under the guise of assisting them to invest in mineral resources and a deep seaport business.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 2, the anti-graft agency said the defendant allegedly defrauded victims including Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen, and others.
One of the charges alleged that Thompson, between April and December 2024, fraudulently obtained the sum of $213,350 from Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad, and other joint unsuspecting investors, under the pretence of investing the funds in mining of mineral resources and deep seaport business. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.
However, defence counsel, Savn Daniel, made an oral application for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Adaobi adjourned the matter to March 19, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial. The court ordered that the defendant be remanded at the EFCC detention facility in Uyo.
