The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two teenage lovers, Marian Elia and Izuchukwu Uzoma, before the Federal High Court in Benin City over the alleged theft of N35.92 million through cyber-related offences.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement on Thursday, said Elia, 19, and Uzoma, 21, were arraigned before Justice C. A. Obiozor on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that Elia, who reportedly grew up in the home of the complainant, Mrs. Esther Ogbeifun, had access to the woman’s mobile phones and banking details. The Commission alleged that she transferred N35.92 million from the victim’s bank account into the account of Uzoma, her boyfriend, and that both later converted the money to their personal use.
The Commission specifically alleged that the transfers were carried out between March 8 and July 29, 2026, using the victim’s Moniepoint Personal Banking App.
One of the charges reads: “That you Marian Elia between the 8th day of March 2026 and 29th day of July 2026 in Benin, Edo State within 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 (Thirty-five Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) 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, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel, I. M. Elodi, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional centre pending the determination of the case.
Justice Obiozor subsequently remanded the two defendants at the Benin Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until December 7, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.
The EFCC noted that the charges remain allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.