By Our Reporter I Abuja
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. Peter, who allegedly paraded himself as a Special Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, is facing a four-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences to the tune of N25.9 million.
The anti-graft agency handles the prosecution of the case, which underscores a growing trend of fraudsters leveraging the prestige of Aso Rock villa appointments to fleece unsuspecting investors and corporate bodies.
Appearing before the court, the defendant listened as the counts were read out. Count one of the charges stated:
“That you, Igoin Tokoni Peter, sometime between 30th August, 2024 and 30th October, 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court with the intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N25,941,787.00 (Twenty Five Million, Nine Hundred and Forty One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven Naira) through Smartz Skyward Energy Limited account No 1312736201 domiciled with Zenith Bank from Dontown Assets Limited under the false pretense that you are the Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on ICT Development and Digital Innovations and that the said sum will be used to secure cryptocurrency exchange operational license which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
In a similar vein, count two of the charge sheet detailed how Peter allegedly exploited another corporate entity using the exact same modus operandi.
The count noted that between September 5, 2024, and October 10, 2025, the defendant used the same Zenith Bank account belonging to Smartz Skyward Energy Limited to obtain the sum of N19,806,500.00 from Jeriod Limited under the guise of securing a cryptocurrency exchange operational license.
When the four counts were fully read to him, the defendant maintained his innocence and pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
Following the “not guilty” plea, the prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, requested the court to fix a definitive date for the commencement of the trial.
Mshelia also aggressively petitioned the court to remand the defendant at the Kuje Correctional Centre, arguing that keeping him in custody would ensure his appearance for trial.
Conversely, the defence counsel argued for the administrative bail of the client, urging the court to consider liberal terms that would allow the defendant to adequately prepare for his defence outside of a correctional facility.
Delivering his ruling on the application, Justice Obiora Egwuatu admitted the defendant to bail, but under highly stringent conditions. The court fixed the bail sum at a whopping N400 million, requiring two sureties in like sum.
According to Justice Egwuatu, both sureties must be verifiable residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Furthermore, the first surety must be a property owner within Abuja and is required to submit original property title documents, a recent passport photograph, and a valid means of national identification to the court.
The second surety, the judge ruled, must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15. The civil servant is mandated to submit their official staff identification card alongside a passport photograph for strict verification.
Failing immediate perfection of the stiff bail terms, Justice Egwuatu ordered that Igoin Tokoni Peter be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center pending when he can fully satisfy the requirements.
The case has been formally adjourned to July 16, 2026, for the definitive commencement of the trial, where the EFCC is expected to call its witnesses and tender bank statements as well as corporate communications to prove its case against the standard of beyond reasonable doubt.
