EFCC arraigns lovers over N35.9m theft from woman in Benin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 19-year-old woman and her 21-year-old boyfriend over the alleged theft of N35.92 million from a woman in Benin, Edo State.

The defendants, Marian Elia and Izuchukwu Uzoma, were arraigned before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court on a seven-count charge bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.

The EFCC alleged that Elia, who grew up in the house of the victim, Esther Ogbeifun, used her access to the woman’s phones and banking information to transfer the money into Uzoma’s United Bank for Africa account.

According to the commission, the alleged transfers occurred between March 8 and July 29, 2026, through the victim’s Moniepoint personal banking application.

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One of the charges alleged that Elia used the banking application to transfer an aggregate sum of N35.92 million into an account operated by Uzoma, resulting in financial loss to Ogbeifun.

The commission said the defendants allegedly converted the money to their personal use.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, I. M. Elodi, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional facility.

Justice Obiozor ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre.

The court adjourned the case until December 7 for hearing.