Lagos Court Sentences Fraudster To 17 Years For N78.7m Property Scam.
A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced Peter Nwogu, also known as Dr. NDC Peters, to 17 years in prison for orchestrating a property fraud scheme worth N78.7 million. The ruling, delivered by Justice S.S. Ogunsanya on Thursday, 10 July 2025, marks the culmination of a decade-long legal battle led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Nwogu, alongside his company, DSCL Services Consulting Limited, faced a 20-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and issuing dishonoured cheques. The charges, filed by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 in 2013, stemmed from Nwogu’s alleged use of fraudulent advertisements in newspapers and other publications. Operating under the names Diplomatic Service Consultancy Limited and Christian Defence Fellowship, a non-governmental organisation, he lured victims with promises of leasing properties that he never delivered.
One of the counts detailed how Nwogu, in February 2009, defrauded Mrs. Christie Abutu-Obiozo of N5.4 million by falsely claiming the sum covered two years’ rent for a three-bedroom flat with a one-room boys’ quarters at No. 4 Kingsley Emu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The prosecution revealed that such misrepresentations were part of a broader scheme targeting multiple victims, amassing a total of N78.7 million.
When arraigned before Justice K.A. Jose in November 2013, Nwogu pleaded not guilty, triggering a full trial. The prosecution, led by Babatunde Sonoiki, presented compelling evidence, including documents that were admitted by the court. After years of legal proceedings, Justice Ogunsanya found Nwogu guilty on all counts, sentencing him to 17 years without the option of a fine. Additionally, the court ordered him to make restitution to his victims.
The verdict has been hailed as a significant step in the fight against financial crime in Nigeria, with the EFCC reaffirming its commitment to holding fraudsters accountable. For the victims, the ruling offers a measure of justice after years of deception, while serving as a stark warning to others engaged in similar schemes.
