The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Marian Elia and Izuchukwu Uzoma, who are lovers, before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court for the alleged theft of N35,920,000 (thirty five million, nine hundred and twenty thousand naira).
They were arraigned on a charge comprising seven counts bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing. Elia, aged 19, and Uzoma, aged 21, are alleged to have conspired and stolen the sum belonging to 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. She allegedly executed a transfer of the said sum from the victim’s account into that of Uzoma, her boyfriend. Both are said to have converted the money to their personal use.
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 (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. This prompted the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, to ask the court 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 7 December for hearing.
By John James
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