RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly arraigned two young lovers before the Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State, over the alleged theft of ₦35.92 million belonging to a woman identified as Esther Ogbeifun.
The defendants, Marian Elia, 19, and her boyfriend, Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, were brought before Justice C. A. Obiozor on a seven-count charge involving alleged conspiracy, stealing and cybercrime.
According to details attributed to the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate, the defendants allegedly conspired to gain unauthorised access to the complainant’s bank account and transfer funds for their personal use.
Investigators alleged that Elia, who grew up in the complainant’s household, had access to her mobile phones and banking information.
The commission claimed that she exploited this access to initiate unauthorised transfers from Ogbeifun’s account into another account allegedly operated by Uzoma.
One of the charges alleged that Elia used a Moniepoint personal banking application connected to the complainant’s account to transfer a total of ₦35,920,000 into a United Bank for Africa account linked to her boyfriend.
The prosecution alleged that the transactions occurred between March 8 and July 29, 2026, in Benin City.
The commission further claimed that the money was subsequently converted to the defendants’ personal use.
The alleged offences were brought under the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
When the charges were read in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel I. M. Elodi requested a trial date and an order remanding the defendants to a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
Justice Obiozor reportedly granted the remand request, ordering that the two defendants be held at the Benin Correctional Centre.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until December 7, 2026, for hearing.
The case highlights concerns about unauthorised access to personal banking applications and the risks associated with exposing confidential financial information.
However, the allegations remain before the court, and neither defendant has been convicted of the offences.
The prosecution will be required to establish its case through evidence, while the defendants retain the right to challenge the allegations and present their defence.
