The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Victor Ekpong Thompson before a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on multiple charges over an alleged foreign investment scam that defrauded several United States citizens of $525,276.
Thompson appeared before Justice Maureen Adaobi of the Federal High Court on Thursday, January 29, 2026, where he was charged with eight separate counts relating to obtaining money by false pretence and other offences contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC and made available in court, the prosecution alleges that Thompson convinced his victims, including Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen and other unnamed investors, to part with their funds between April and December 2024 under the promise of facilitating lucrative investments in mineral resources and a deep-sea port venture.
One of the eight counts read in court alleges that: “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 Two Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars ($213,350 USD) from Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad and others (joint unsuspecting investors), under the pretence of investing the money in mining of mineral resources and deep sea port business…”
The EFCC alleges that Thompson’s actions represent deliberate fraud under the Advance Fee Fraud law, which makes it an offence to obtain money under false pretences with the intent to benefit unlawfully.
When the charges were read to him, Thompson pleaded “not guilty” to all eight counts, denying the prosecution’s allegations.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin urged the court to set a trial date and ordered that the defendant be remanded pending trial. In opposition, defence counsel Savn Daniel made an oral bail application on behalf of Thompson, which the prosecution strongly objected to.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Adaobi adjourned the matter to March 19, 2026, for a full hearing on the bail application and commencement of trial proceedings. The accused was subsequently remanded at the EFCC’s detention facility in Uyo.
The arraignment marks another case in which the EFCC is pursuing allegations of cross-border financial crimes involving foreign victims. In recent years, the commission has intensified its clampdown on investment and internet fraud schemes that target both domestic and international victims, as well as complex advances-fee fraud investigations.
