On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented Precious Ojo and Joseph Uduaghan before Justice F. A. Olubanjo at the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State.

In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, EFCC Spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren announced that Ojo and Uduaghan were presented with 10 and three count charges, respectively. These charges pertain to fraudulent impersonation, obtaining by false pretense, and money laundering.

Ojo, also known as "Obago," is accused of assuming the identity of Peter Gabriel, an American medical doctor allegedly stationed in Syria, in order to deceive his unsuspecting victim, Agata Harasimowicz, an American woman. It is alleged that Ojo defrauded her of a total sum of $268,000 (Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand US Dollars). On the other hand, Uduaghan is alleged to have received a total sum of N170 million from Ojo, which he utilized in the construction of a hotel.

One of the charges states: "That between July 2021 and April 2022, in Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, you, Precious Ojo, with the intention to defraud, sent electronic messages misrepresenting your identity to Agata Harasimowicz, an American woman, causing her to rely on the misrepresentation and suffer a financial loss amounting to $268,000 (Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand United States Dollars) worth of Bitcoin and Gift Cards. Thus, you have committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015."

One of the charges leveled against Uduaghan states: "That you, Joseph Uduaghan (male), at some point between March and December 2022 in Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, utilized the total sum of N170,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) to construct a hotel known as Obago Continental Hotel and Suites, situated at Western Delta Road, Ogharefe Area, Delta State. You were aware or should have reasonably known that these funds were derived from the proceeds of Precious Ojo's unlawful activities, specifically cybercrime. By doing so, you have committed an offense contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act."

Upon being arraigned, the defendants entered pleas of not guilty to the charges, leading the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, to request the court to schedule a trial date.

The defense counsel, Pascal Ugbome, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his clients and requested the court to grant them bail. Ugbome argued that the alleged offenses were bailable, and assured the court that the defendants would be present for their trial.

The prosecution counsel opposed the application, citing concerns that the defendants may attempt to flee and evade justice by jumping bail.

Nevertheless, the defense counsel implored the court to release the defendants into his custody until the ruling on the bail application.

The judge issued an order for the defendants to be released to the defense counsel. However, the defense counsel is required to provide a letter from the chairman of his NBA branch confirming his membership and payment of practicing fees up to the present date.

Additionally, the defense counsel must provide a written undertaking stating that he will ensure the defendants' presence in court whenever required, and he will bear the responsibility of a surety in the event of any breach of the conditions.