Lagos Court Sentences Fraudster to 17 Years for N78.7 Million Property Scam

DDM News

Justice S.S. Ogunsanya of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced one Peter Nwogu, also known as Dr. NDC Peters, to 17 years imprisonment over a property fraud valued at N78.7 million.

The conviction was delivered on Thursday, July 10, 2025, after over a decade-long legal process initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Nwogu was arraigned alongside his company, DSCL Services Consulting Limited, on November 12, 2013, before Justice K.A. Jose on a 20-count charge.

The charges bordered on obtaining money by false pretence and issuance of dud cheques, filed by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate based on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

According to court records, Nwogu allegedly placed fake property lease advertisements in newspapers using the names Diplomatic Service Consultancy Limited and Christian Defence Fellowship, a supposed non-governmental organization.

He used these entities to defraud unsuspecting victims by collecting large sums of money under the pretense of renting out non-existent or unavailable properties.

One of the charges revealed that on February 16, 2009, Nwogu fraudulently obtained N5.4 million from a victim, Mrs. Christie Abutu-Obiozo, claiming it was two years’ rent for a 3-bedroom flat with a boys’ quarters at No. 4 Kingsley Emu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, a representation he knew to be false.

Despite pleading “not guilty” at the time of arraignment, the court heard compelling evidence during trial, including several documents presented by the EFCC counsel, Babatunde Sonoiki, which were admitted by the court.

Justice Ogunsanya found the defendant guilty on all counts and sentenced him to 17 years imprisonment without an option of a fine.

The court further ordered that the convict restitute all victims of the fraud, ensuring some measure of justice and redress.

The EFCC welcomed the judgment as a victory in its continued fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

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