The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, arraigned one Victor Ekpong Thompson before Justice Maureen Adaobi of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo over an alleged investment fraud amounting to $525,276.
Thompson was docked on an eight-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence. The EFCC alleged that the defendant defrauded several American nationals by presenting himself as an investment facilitator in mineral resources and a deep seaport business.
According to the prosecution, Thompson allegedly collected funds from victims identified as Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen, and others under the guise of investing on their behalf. The transactions were said to have taken place between April and December 2024.
One of the charges stated that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of $213,350 from the victims, described as “joint unsuspecting investors,” with the intention of defrauding them. 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, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, requested a trial date and urged the court to 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 parties, Justice Adaobi adjourned the matter to March 19, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial. The court also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the EFCC detention facility in Uyo pending further proceedings.