The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has arraigned one Victor Ekpong Thompson before Justice Maureen Adaobi of the Federal High Court in Uyo over an alleged $525,276 fraud involving several American victims.
Thompson was arraigned on Thursday, January 29, 2026, on an eight-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence. He was accused of defrauding his victims under the guise of facilitating investments in mineral resources and a deep sea port business.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 2, the anti-graft agency said Thompson allegedly obtained funds from Americans, including Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen, and others.
One of the charges stated that Thompson, between April and December 2024, fraudulently obtained the sum of $213,350 from Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad, and other unsuspecting investors, under the pretext of investing in mining and deep sea port ventures. 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.
When the charges were read in court, Thompson pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending the conclusion 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 defendant was ordered to be remanded at the EFCC detention facility in Uyo pending further proceedings.