The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arraigned three suspected fake customs officers before Justice Efe Ikponwonba of the Benin High Court in Edo State.

The three defendants, Afekhai Aliu, Felix Victor and James Anne, were charged with six counts bordering on obtaining by false pretences.

They were alleged to have defrauded one Ikhaigbode Oya by claiming to be custom officers in charge of auctioning confiscated vehicles at Idiroko, Ogun State.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, indicated that that the men pleaded not guilty to the six counts preferred against them by the agency.

The prosecution counsel, Moses Arumemi, prayed the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in custody.

However, the defence counsel, S. O. Osazuwa, urged the court to grant his clients bail in liberal terms.

Justice Ikponwonba granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety each in like sum.

The case was adjourned till May 20, 2021 for hearing.