By Seun Ibiyemi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a man identified as Igoin Tokoni Peter before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged fraud and impersonation involving more than N25 million.
Peter was arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu on a four-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining money under false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly paraded himself as a Special Adviser to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Peter fraudulently obtained N25.94 million from Dontown Assets Limited under the guise of securing a cryptocurrency exchange operational licence.
The EFCC said the money was paid into the account of Smartz Skyward Energy Limited domiciled with Zenith Bank.
Part of the charge read that the defendant, between Aug. 30, 2024 and Oct. 30, 2025 in Abuja, allegedly obtained the money by falsely presenting himself as a presidential aide.
The commission also accused him of obtaining another N19.8 million from Jeriod Limited between Sept. 5, 2024 and Oct. 10, 2025 using the same alleged false claims.
According to the EFCC, the offences contravene provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read in court.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently granted the defendant bail in the sum of N400 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge ruled that both sureties must reside in Abuja, while one of them must be a property owner who would provide property documents, passport photographs and valid means of identification.
The second surety, according to the court, must be a civil servant on Grade Level 15 and must also provide official identification and passport photographs.
The court further ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned until July 16, 2026 for commencement of trial.
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