Suspect accused of posing as presidential ICT adviser to secure funds for fake cryptocurrency licence, granted N400m bail

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a man identified as Igoin Tokoni Peter for allegedly impersonating a presidential aide and defrauding companies of over N25 million under false pretences.

Peter was brought before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, May 15, 2026, on a four-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the EFCC, the defendant falsely presented himself as a Special Adviser to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation to deceive unsuspecting victims.

In one of the charges, the anti-graft agency alleged that between August 30, 2024, and October 30, 2025, Peter fraudulently obtained N25,941,787 from Dontown Assets Limited through the account of Smartz Skyward Energy Limited domiciled with Zenith Bank. He allegedly claimed the funds would be used to secure a cryptocurrency exchange operational licence, a representation investigators say he knew to be false.

In a separate count, the EFCC accused him of collecting an additional N19,806,500 from Jeriod Limited between September 5, 2024, and October 10, 2025, under the same pretext.

The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Peter pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read in court. Following his plea, prosecution counsel Christopher Mshelia requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the commencement of proceedings.

In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N400 million with two sureties in like sum. The court stipulated that both sureties must be Abuja residents, with one required to be a property owner who must submit relevant property documents, identification, and passport photographs. The second surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must also provide official identification and a passport photograph.

The court further ordered that Peter be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

The case has been adjourned to July 16, 2026, for the commencement of trial.