The Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State, has remanded a 19-year-old woman, Marian Elia, and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Izuchukwu Uzoma, over allegations that they conspired to steal ₦35.92 million belonging to Mrs Esther Ogbeifun.
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Justice C. A. Obiozor ordered their remand at the Benin Correctional Centre after they pleaded not guilty to seven counts bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime and stealing brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The court adjourned the matter until December 7, 2026, for hearing.
In an announcement published on Wednesday, October 21, the EFCC said its Benin Zonal Directorate prosecuted the defendants following an investigation into alleged transfers from Ogbeifun’s account.
According to the commission, Elia grew up in Ogbeifun’s home and had access to her phones and banking information. The prosecution alleged that she exploited that access to transfer money into a United Bank for Africa account operated by Uzoma.
The EFCC further alleged that the defendants converted the funds to their personal use.
The transactions forming the basis of the prosecution allegedly occurred between March 8 and July 29, 2026, in Benin City.
One of the counts accuses Elia of using an access device issued to Ogbeifun, identified as her Moniepoint personal banking application, to transfer an aggregate sum of ₦35,920,000 into Uzoma’s UBA account, causing financial loss to the complainant.
The prosecution stated that the alleged conduct constituted an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
Both defendants denied the allegations 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 subsequently ordered their remand pending further proceedings. The allegations remain subject to trial, and neither defendant has been convicted.
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