The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
has arraigned Victor Ekpong Thompson before the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa
Ibom State, over an alleged $525,276 investment fraud involving American
victims.
The anti-graft agency disclosed the arraignment in a
statement published on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
According to the EFCC, Thompson appeared before
Justice Maureen Adaobi on eight criminal counts bordering on obtaining money by
false pretence. The charges are linked to alleged fake investments in mineral
exploration and a deep-sea port project.
The commission said the alleged offences occurred
between April and December 2024, during which Thompson reportedly convinced
multiple victims—including Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad and
others—that he was facilitating legitimate joint investment opportunities.
EFCC investigators alleged that Thompson presented
himself as an investment intermediary and persuaded the victims to transfer
funds for projects that later turned out to be non-existent.
In one of the charges, the defendant was accused of
fraudulently obtaining $213,350 under the guise of a joint investment scheme.
The offence is said to contravene Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and
Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Thompson pleaded not guilty to all charges when they
were read in court.
Following his plea, the prosecution asked the court to
fix a trial date and remand the defendant pending the conclusion of the case.
The defence, however, made an oral application for bail, which was opposed by
the EFCC.
Justice Adaobi adjourned the matter to March 19, 2026,
for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial. The court also
ordered that Thompson be remanded at the EFCC detention facility in Uyo.
The case comes amid a growing number of reported
investment scams in Nigeria, many of which target both local and foreign
investors under the cover of legitimate business ventures.
Regulatory authorities, including the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), have repeatedly warned investors to be cautious of
unregistered investment schemes, Ponzi operations and fraudulent digital asset
platforms.
In recent months, the EFCC has intensified its
crackdown on financial crimes nationwide, securing recoveries and prosecutions
in cases involving contract fraud, cryptocurrency-related offences and
large-scale financial misrepresentation.
Comments:
Leave a Reply