The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Marian Elia and Izuchukwu Uzoma, both of whom are lovers, before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court for stealing to the tune of N35,920,000.00 (Thirty-five Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira).

They were arraigned on a seven-count charge, bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.

Elia, 19 and Uzoma, 21 are alleged to have conspired and stolen N35.920 million belonging to one Mrs Esther Ogbeifun.

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. And both converted the money to their personal use.

One of the charge reads: “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 (Thirty Five million, Nine hundred and Twenty Thousand) 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 2024).

They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them. prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi to ask the court to for a trial date and to remand the defendants in a Correctional Centre.

Justice Obiozor remanded the defendants in Benin Correctional Centre, Benin City and adjourned the matter till December 7 for hearing.

Dele Oyewale, mnipr, fcipdm

Head, Media & Publicity

October 21, 2026