BENIN CITY, NIGERIA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned two lovers over the alleged theft of ₦35.92 million in Edo State.
The defendants are Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21. The EFCC disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday posted on its official X account.
The commission said its Benin Zonal Directorate arraigned the defendants before Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court.
The Charges
According to the commission, the defendants were arraigned on a seven-count charge. The charges border on cybercrime, conspiracy, and stealing.
The EFCC alleged that Elia grew up in the victim’s house. She had access to her phones and banking information. She allegedly used this access to transfer the money into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.
“Investigation by the Commission revealed that Elia, who grew up in the house of the victim, had access to her phones and bank information and allegedly executed a transfer of the said sum from the victim’s account into that of Uzoma, her boyfriend,” the statement read.
The commission further alleged that the defendants converted the money to their personal use.
Details of the Charge
One of the charges accused Elia of using the victim’s banking application to transfer the money. The victim was identified as Mrs. Esther Ogbeifun.
The statement read in part: “That you Marian Elia between the 8th day of March 2026 and 29th day of July 2026 in Benin, Edo State with the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use the access device issued to one Mrs Esther Ogbeifun to wit, a Moniepoint Personal Banking App with account number 6513141114 to transfer the aggregate sum of N35,920,000.00 to account number 2318786590 domiciled in United Bank for Africa, operated by one Izuchukwu Uzoma, resulting in a loss to the said Mrs Esther Ogbeifun.”
The EFCC said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 33(2) (c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (as amended 2024).
Plea and Remand
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them. Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants in a correctional centre.
Justice Obiozor ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre, Benin City. He adjourned the matter until December 7 for hearing.
What This Means
The case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria. It also shows the importance of protecting personal banking information.
The EFCC has been cracking down on cybercrime and financial fraud. The commission has secured several convictions in recent months.
What Happens Next
The defendants will remain in custody until the next hearing. The court will hear the case on December 7.
For now, the victim is hoping for justice. The EFCC has assured that it will prosecute the case diligently.
