The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Victor Ekpeyong Thompson before the federal high court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly defrauding several Americans of $525,276.
Thompson who is reportedly a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state faces eight charges related to defrauding his victims by falsely claiming he would help them invest in mineral resources and deep-sea port businesses.
According to an EFCC statement issued on Monday by spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the defendant allegedly deceived Americans Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen, and others.
One of the charges states: “That you, Victor Ekpeyong Thompson, on or between April 2024 to December 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, did fraudulently obtain the sum of $213,350 from Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad, and others (joint unsuspecting investors), under the pretense of investing the money in mining of mineral resources and deep sea port business, and thereby committed an offence 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 to Thompson, he pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin requested a trial date and the remand of Thompson in the correctional centre pending the case’s resolution.
Defense counsel, Savn Daniel, made an oral application for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.
After hearing both sides, Justice Adaobi adjourned the case to March 19, 2026, for the determination of bail and the commencement of trial. Thompson has been remanded at the EFCC’s detention facility in Uyo.
