The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Victor Thompson before the federal high court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, over an alleged $525,276 fraud.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said on Monday that Thompson was arraigned on Thursday before Maureen Adaobi, the presiding judge, on eight counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.
The EFCC alleged that the defendant defrauded several Americans, including Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad and Peter Jensen, under the guise of helping them to invest in mineral resources and deep seaport businesses.
According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged offences were committed between April and December 2024.
One of the charges reads that Thompson “fraudulently obtained 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)” on the pretence that the funds would be invested in mining and deep seaport projects”.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged offence contravenes section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under section 1(3) of the same law.
Thompson pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Following his plea, Joshua Abolarin, counsel to the EFCC, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.
However, Savn Daniel, counsel to the defendant, made an oral application for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.
After hearing arguments from both parties, the judge adjourned the matter to March 19 for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial.
The judge ordered that Thompson be remanded at the EFCC’s detention facility in Uyo pending further proceedings.
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