The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Office, has arraigned one Tayo Morawo before Justice E. Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

Morawo and one Kamilu (now at large) were said to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N4.8 million from their victim.

The charge reads: “That you, Tayo Marawo and Mr. Kamilu (now at large) between 2016 and 2017 in Warri Delta State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire with yourselves to commit an offence, to wit, obtain the aggregate sum of N4,811,000.00 from Ebuwa Emmanuel Ikemefure by false pretences and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was read to him on Monday, February 25, 2019.

In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Moses Arumemi, asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody as he needed time to respond to the bail application filed by the defence counsel, E. O. Ajanaku.

Justice E. Nwite, thereafter, adjourned the case to March 18, 2019 for “hearing” and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of his bail.