The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned one Victor Thompson before Justice Maureen Adaobi of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly defrauding some Americans of the sum of $525, 276.
Thompson was arraigned on eight charges for allegedly obtaining the sum from his victims under the guise of helping them to invest in mineral resources and deep-sea port business.
A statement on Monday by the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, stated that the defendant allegedly defrauded some Americans, Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen and a few others.
One of the charges reads, “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 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.”
vOyewale said when the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to them.
He said following his plea of not guilty, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, prayed the court for a trial date and remand of the defendant in the correctional centre pending the determination of the case.
However, defence counsel, Savn Daniel, made an oral bail application, which the prosecution objected.
After listening to both counsel, Oyewale said Justice Adaobi adjourned the matter to March 19, 2026, for the determination of bail and commencement of trial, while the defendant was remanded at the EFCC’s detention facility in Uyo.
(Punch)
