Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 38‑year‑old man, Igoin Tokoni Peter, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly posing as a special assistant to the President on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and defrauding two companies of more than ₦45 million under the guise of securing operational licences for a cryptocurrency exchange.
The defendant was docked before Justice Obiora Egwuatu on a four‑count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences. According to the anti‑graft agency, Peter falsely presented himself as the “Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovations” – a position that does not exist in the official schedule of presidential aides – to lend credibility to his fraudulent scheme.
The EFCC told the court that between 30 August 2024 and 30 October 2025, the defendant obtained an aggregate sum of N25,941,787 from Dontown Assets Limited through the account of Smartz Skyward Energy Limited domiciled with Zenith Bank. He claimed the money would be used to secure a cryptocurrency exchange operational licence, a representation the commission said he knew to be false.
In a separate transaction, between 5 September 2024 and 10 October 2025, Peter allegedly obtained an additional N19,806,500 from Jeriod Limited under the same false pretence of being a presidential aide who could facilitate the licensing process.
The total amount involved in the two alleged frauds is N45,748,287, though most media reports focused on the N25 million figure referenced in the headline of the EFCC’s statement.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, asked the court for a trial date and urged the judge to remand the defendant in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
Justice Egwuatu granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦400 million, with two sureties in like sum. Both sureties must be residents of Abuja; one must be a property owner who is required to submit title documents, a passport photograph and a valid means of identification. The second surety must be a civil servant on at least Grade Level 15, who must also submit official identification and a passport photograph.
The judge ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions. The case was adjourned to 16 July 2026 for the commencement of trial.
The EFCC’s spokesperson had earlier posted a brief statement on the commission’s X (formerly Twitter) handle, notifying the public of the arraignment.
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