Fresh details emerged on Wednesday in the trial of Victor Ekpong Thompson as a prosecution witness told the Federal High Court in Uyo how the defendant allegedly forged a mining licence and used it to obtain more than $525,000 from American investors.
The case, before Justice Maurine Adaobi Onyetenu, centres on allegations of conspiracy, advance fee fraud, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and stealing.
Testifying as the second prosecution witness, Michael Eyo said Thompson deceived him into releasing the original copy of his mining licence before secretly photographing the document and presenting it to investors as his own.
Eyo told the court that he owns a mining site in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.
“The fraudster asked me to bring the originals of my licence to verify the authenticity. Thereafter, he snapped the licence not knowing that he was doing it to forge and convince the investors,” he said.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Thompson allegedly defrauded Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad and Peter Jensen, alongside other investors, of $525,276 through purported mining and Deep Sea Port investments.
One of the charges before the court alleged that Thompson fraudulently obtained $123,030 from the investors between January and June 2025 under the guise of investing in mineral resources and a Deep Sea Port business.
The defendant, who was arraigned on January 29, 2026, pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge.
Earlier, defence counsel Madu Uwem Amamko urged the court to grant Thompson bail on health grounds. Prosecuting counsel Joshua Abolarin opposed the application, insisting there was no evidence the defendant’s condition posed any serious risk.
After hearing both sides, Justice Onyetenu fixed June 8, 2026, for ruling on the bail request.
Earlier in the trial, one of the alleged victims, Tammy Jensen, told the court that she met Thompson on Facebook in August 2022 after he introduced himself as a precious stones dealer.
She said Thompson convinced her and other investors to fund a mining project under Arch Royale Projects Limited in Iwuru Community, Cross River State, before later introducing a Deep Sea Port investment in Akwa Ibom State with promises of huge returns.
Jensen told the court that between 2023 and 2025, investors transferred a combined $525,276 into Thompson’s accounts through Wells Fargo Bank, Chase Bank and WorldRemit channels.
According to investigators, suspicion deepened after Jensen visited Nigeria in June 2025 and discovered inconsistencies surrounding the projects.
Investigators also alleged that large portions of the funds were diverted for personal use, with assets traced to Thompson including a duplex in Shelter Afrique Estate, Uyo, a Toyota Hilux and a grey Lexus RX350.