Edo: EFCC arraigns lovers over alleged N35.9m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned two young lovers, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of N35.92m belonging to Mrs Esther Ogbeifun in Benin, Edo State.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate on a seven-count charge bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.

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According to the anti-graft agency, Elia allegedly gained access to Ogbeifun’s phones and banking information after growing up in the victim’s home.

The commission alleged that she subsequently used the access to transfer a total of N35.92m from Ogbeifun’s account into an account operated by Uzoma, who the EFCC identified as her boyfriend.

The EFCC said the alleged transactions occurred between March 8 and July 29, 2026, in Benin.

One of the charges alleged that Elia used the victim’s Moniepoint Personal Banking App to transfer the money to an account domiciled with United Bank for Africa and operated by Uzoma.

The charge stated that the alleged transfer resulted in a loss of N35.92m to Ogbeifun and constituted an offence punishable under Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

The commission further alleged that the defendants converted the funds to their personal use.

However, both Elia and Uzoma pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them before the court.

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

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

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The judge adjourned the case until December 7, 2026, for hearing.