EFCC Arrests School Proprietor Over Alleged Visa, Scholarship Scam in Akwa Ibom

EFCC Arrests School Proprietor Over Alleged Visa, Scholarship Scam in Akwa Ibom

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a school proprietor, Imaobong Cyril Okpong, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for alleged involvement in multiple visa and fake scholarship scams.

In a statement, the EFCC said Okpong, proprietor of Michael Udonquak Schools in Mbierebe, was arrested following a petition by Dr. Blessing Nse Bassey, who alleged that the suspect defrauded her of ₦3 million under the pretext of securing university admission and Canadian visas for her and her husband.

Bassey told investigators that Okpong approached her in February 2024 with a purported foreign scholarship offer. She said the payment was made after the suspect signed a notarized indemnity agreement, but Okpong became unreachable after receiving the money.

The petitioner further alleged that several other victims had fallen for the same scam, with some stranded abroad after discovering that their documents were fake.

The EFCC added that Okpong would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.