EFCC arrests school owner visa scholarship fraud Uyo
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Uyo Zonal Directorate in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a school proprietor, Mrs. Imaobong Cyril Okpong, for alleged involvement in a visa-and-scholarship fraud scheme. According to the EFCC, the suspect is accused of running a series of fraudulent offers purporting to provide foreign university admissions and fully-funded scholarships for study abroad, as well as processing visas—schemes that the agency says were non-existent.
The arrest follows a petition by a medical practitioner, Dr (Mrs.) Blessing Nse Bassey, who alleged that Okpong defrauded her of ₦3 million under the guise of securing a Canadian visa for herself and her husband, plus university admission abroad. The petitioner stated that the suspect signed a notarised indemnity agreement before she made the payment, but after transferring the funds into Okpong’s bank account she became unreachable and calls to the suspect went unanswered.
Further investigations revealed that Okpong, who claims to own Michael Udonquak Schools at Mbierebe in Akwa Ibom State, allegedly defrauded multiple victims using the same method. Some victims reportedly travelled abroad with fake documents only to discover later that the scholarships and admissions were fictitious, leaving them stranded or facing deportation with major financial losses.
The EFCC has stated that formal charges will be filed once its investigations are concluded. The agency is treating the case as one of “obtaining money under false pretence” and related offences. The arrest underscores EFCC’s renewed focus on educational, migration- and visa-related fraud schemes targeting Nigerians.
