Ebony Film boss, Olajide Oluwaseun Kareem, alias Seun Egbegbe, was on Friday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding 33 bureau de change operators.
The socialite was arraigned on a 36-count charge by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, alongside one Ayomide Oyekan.
Both men were brought to the court in handcuffs by armed policemen.
In the charge marked FHC/L/40c/2017, filed before the court by the SCIID’s Head of Legal Department, Effiong Asuquo, the suspected fraudsters were alleged to have between 2016 and February 2, 2017, defrauded BDC operators at various places in Lagos State to the tune of N40.647 million; $29, 800,00; and 4, 815 United Kingdom Pounds Sterling.
According to police prosecutor, Innocent Anyigor Innocent, the offences are contrary to sections 8 and 1(1)(a)(B)(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and punishable under section 1(1) of the same Act.
The two accused, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.
Upon their non-guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Anyigor, urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending when the trial will begin.
But their lawyer, A. O. Gbadamoshi, pleaded with the court to grant them bail for which he was yet to file an application.
Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, ordered that the two accused persons be remanded in prison and the matter was adjourned till March 10 for trial.
Egbegbe and Oyekan were arrested on Thursday, February 2 at the Gbagada General Hospital while allegedly trying to scam two BDC operators.
The movie producer had been arrested on November 22, 2016, after he allegedly attempted to flee with nine iPhones valued at N2.4m, which he had took at a shop in the Computer Village, Ikeja.
That matter is before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court.
