Court Remands Suspect For Defrauding Americans $525,276

The Federal High Court, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State has adjourned the trial of a fraud suspect, one Victor Thompson, to March 19, 2026.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate had arraigned Thompson before Justice Maureen Adaobi, for allegedly defrauding some American investors to the tune of $525, 276.

The particulars of the case stated that Thompson was arraigned on eight-count charge for allegedly obtaining the said sum from his victims “under the guise of helping them to invest in mineral resources and deep sea port business,” which later turned to be scam.

The victims allegedly defrauded by the defendant, the Court noted, included some Americans citizens -Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen and a few others.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Victor 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 USD from Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad and other 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, he pleaded not guilty to the allegations preferred against him.

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, to which the prosecution objected.

After listening to both counsels, Justice Adaobi, adjourned the matter to March 19, 2026, for the determination of bail and commencement of trial while the defendant was ferried for remand at the EFCC’s detention facility in Uyo.