The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 19-year-old woman, Marian Elia, and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Izuchukwu Uzoma, for the alleged theft of N35.92 million belonging to Mrs. Esther Ogbeifun in Benin City, Edo State.
The anti-graft agency announced the arraignment in a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The defendants appeared before Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime, and stealing.
Breach of trust and fraudulent transfers
According to the EFCC, Elia leveraged her close relationship with the victim—having grown up in Mrs. Ogbeifun’s home—to gain access to her mobile phones and banking credentials.
Investigators alleged that between March 8 and July 29, 2026, Elia used the victim’s Moniepoint mobile banking application to make unauthorised electronic transfers totaling N35,920,000.
The funds were allegedly routed directly into an account operated by her boyfriend, Izuchukwu Uzoma, at the United Bank for Africa (UBA), and subsequently converted to their personal use.
The prosecution noted that the alleged offences contravene Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
Court proceedings and remand order
During the court session, both defendants entered a plea of not guilty to all charges brought against them.
Following their plea, the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the accused individuals in custody.
Justice Obiozor granted the request and ordered that Elia and Uzoma be remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre.
The case was subsequently adjourned until December 7, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
