EFCC Arrests Akwa Ibom School Owner Over ₦3 Million Visa and Scholarship Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the owner of Michael Udonquak Schools, Mbierebe, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Imaobong Cyril Okpong, for allegedly defrauding a petitioner of ₦3 million in a fake visa and foreign scholarship scheme.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the EFCC’s Uyo Zonal Directorate confirmed Okpong’s arrest, describing her as a “serial fraudster” linked to multiple cases of visa and scholarship scams involving nonexistent international study programs.
The agency disclosed that the arrest followed a petition by Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Nse Bassey, a medical practitioner, who accused Okpong of deceiving her with a fraudulent offer to secure university admission and Canadian study visas for herself and her husband.
“Dr. Bassey claimed the suspect approached her in February 2024 with promises of securing a scholarship and study visa abroad. She made payments only after Okpong signed a notarised indemnity agreement,” the EFCC’s statement read.
However, after receiving the ₦3 million payment, Okpong allegedly cut off communication, stopped answering calls, and failed to fulfill her promises.
Dr. Bassey further alleged that the suspect had previously defrauded several other victims with similar false promises. One of them, she said, “was stranded in China after discovering the scholarship was fake.” Others reportedly travelled with forged documents, leaving them stranded overseas or facing deportation and severe financial losses.
The EFCC said Okpong will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
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