Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a school proprietor, Mrs. Imaobong Cyril Okpong, over alleged involvement in multiple visa and foreign scholarship fraud schemes.
Okpong, identified as the owner of Michael Udonquak Schools, Mbierebe, Akwa Ibom State, was arrested following a petition by Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Nse Bassey, a medical practitioner, who accused her of defrauding her of ₦3 million under the pretext of securing university admission and Canadian visas for her and her husband.
According to the petitioner, the suspect approached her in February 2024, claiming to have access to scholarship and study visa opportunities abroad. Bassey said she only made payment after Okpong signed an indemnity agreement, which was duly notarized. The payment was made through an electronic transfer to the suspect’s First Bank account.
However, after receiving the funds, the suspect allegedly became unreachable and stopped responding to calls, failing to fulfill any of the agreed terms.
Bassey further alleged that Okpong had defrauded several other victims, including a friend who was stranded in China after discovering that the supposed scholarship was fake. Some victims, she said, travelled abroad with forged documents and were later deported, suffering severe financial losses.
The EFCC said the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
