Peach & Prime: GICN Warns Against Smear Campaigns, Clears Benue ADC Aspirant Adejoh of Embezzlement Claims

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

As political activities gradually build up ahead of the 2027 general elections, a civil society organisation, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has cautioned social media influencers and content creators against what it described as smear campaigns targeting Dr.

The group, which identifies itself as a pro-democracy and anti-corruption network of legal practitioners, issued the warning in a statement signed by its President, Edward Omaga, and made available to newsmwn in Makurdi over the weekend.

GICN also dismissed allegations linking Dr. Adejoh to the alleged diversion of investors’ funds in the now-defunct Peach & Prime foreign exchange trading platform. The organiation stated that both Adejoh and his management team have no case of fraud established against them and insisted that claims of embezzlement are unfounded.

According to the group, its preliminary findings indicate that the renewed social media narratives surrounding Peach & Prime are politically motivated explaining that no court in Nigeria has indicted Dr. Adejoh over the collapse of the portfolio management firm, which it attributed to the global economic downturn of 2009.

The group further noted that there has been no formal complaint from investors regarding fraud.

Describing Adejoh as a businessman and politician of integrity, GICN stated that at a time when several operators in similar circumstances allegedly fled the country, he remained in Nigeria and initiated processes to refund genuine and verifiable investors affected by the company’s closure.

The statement which explained that the 2009 global financial crisis negatively impacted numerous legitimate businesses and investment ventures worldwide, added that Peach & Prime, in a bid to demonstrate accountability, issued public notices across media platforms inviting past investors to submit claims and supporting documents for verification and consideration, despite the business having shut down over 16 years ago.

GICN said it was reliably informed that investors who complied with the verification procedures are being refunded, and that the repayment window remains open. According to the group, this reflects a commitment to addressing legitimate concerns in good faith rather than under compulsion.

“There is no justification for labeling the company or its owner as fraudulent without first engaging in fact-finding and dialogue,” the statement stressed.

The organisation therefore warned against attempts by political opponents to allegedly manipulate public opinion by discrediting the governorship hopeful, insisting that available records portray Adejoh as an entrepreneur, employer of labour and philanthropist whose contributions to society are significant.

GICN highlighted his reported involvement in scholarship schemes, business empowerment initiatives and humanitarian support to individuals and communities across Nigeria.

Reaffirming its position, the group emphasized that Dr. Peter Adejoh has neither been prosecuted nor convicted by any court of law for fraud in relation to the operations of the defunct Peach & Prime Limited.

The network consequently condemned what it described as efforts by “enemies of progress” and social media actors to revive issues surrounding the failed business venture for political gain. It urged those involved to desist, insisting that Adejoh’s governorship ambition remains intact and should be subjected to fair and issue-based political discourse.