NIGERIA: Lagos Court Jails Fraudster 17 Years For N78.7 Million Property Scam

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced one Peter Nwogu, also known as Dr. NDC Peters, to 17 years in prison for defrauding multiple victims of N78.7 million in a bogus property scheme.

Justice S.S. Ogunsanya handed down the sentence on Thursday, July 10, 2025, after finding Nwogu guilty of obtaining money by false pretence and issuing dishonoured cheques.

Nwogu was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Directorate alongside his company, DSCL Services Consulting Limited, on November 12, 2013, before Justice K.A. Jose.

According to the EFCC, Nwogu placed fake property lease adverts in newspapers using the names of his company, Diplomatic Service Consultancy Limited, and a non-governmental organization, Christian Defence Fellowship.

He allegedly collected large sums of money from unsuspecting individuals under the pretext of renting out properties that did not exist or were never made available.

One of the charges stated that Nwogu received N5.4 million from a Mrs. Christie Abutu-Obiozo in February 2009 as rent for a three-bedroom flat and boys’ quarters at No. 4 Kingsley Emu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos — a claim the court found to be false.

Nwogu pleaded not guilty to the 20-count charge, prompting a full trial.

During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Babatunde Sonoiki presented various documents which were admitted into evidence.

In her judgment, Justice Ogunsanya ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

She sentenced Nwogu to 17 years imprisonment without an option of fine and ordered him to restitute the complainants.