By:Odeh Favour Adiya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Igoin Tokoni Peter before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. He was docked on Friday, May 15, 2026, on a four-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of ₦25 million.
Peter’s trouble started when he allegedly paraded himself as the Special Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on ICT Development and Digital Innovation. Under this assumed high-profile political office, he allegedly scheme-managed unsuspecting victims into parting with millions of Naira.
According to count one of the charges, the defendant, between August 30, 2024, and October 30, 2025, in Abuja, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of ₦25,941,787.00. The money was paid by Dontown Assets Limited into the Zenith Bank account of Smartz Skyward Energy Limited. Peter had convinced the company that the funds would be used to secure a cryptocurrency exchange operational license from the federal government.
In the second count, Peter was also accused of pocketing another ₦19,806,500.00 from Jeriod Limited between September 5, 2024, and October 10, 2025, using the same bank account and the same fake presidential identity. The prosecution maintained that the defendant knew his claims were completely false, an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, swiftly asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in custody pending the determination of the case.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Egwuatu admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦400 million with two sureties in like sum. The judge ordered that both sureties must be resident in Abuja, with one being a property owner who must submit authentic property documents, a passport photograph, and a valid means of identification.
Furthermore, the court ruled that the second surety must be a civil servant not below grade level 15, who is also required to submit his official identity card and passport photograph.
Justice Egwuatu then ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions. The matter has been adjourned to July 16, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
