The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, arraigned Victor Ekpeyong Thompson before Justice Maureen Adaobi of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo for allegedly defrauding some Americans of $525,276 (Five Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-Six United States Dollars).
Thompson was arraigned on an eight-count charge for allegedly obtaining the sum from his victims under the guise of helping them invest in mineral resources and deep-sea port business ventures. The defendant allegedly defrauded Americans, including Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen, and others.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Victor Ekpeyong Thompson, on or between April 2024 and 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) 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, 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 him, Thompson pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, prayed the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional centre pending the determination of the case.
However, defence counsel, Savn Daniel, made an oral application for bail, which the prosecution opposed.
After listening to both counsel, 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.
