The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 19-year-old lady and her 21-year-old boyfriend over the alleged theft of N35.92 million from a girl in Benin City, Edo State.
The defendants, Marian Elia and Izuchukwu Uzoma, have been arraigned earlier than the Federal High Court in Benin on seven counts of conspiracy, cybercrime, and stealing, the EFCC mentioned in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
The fee alleged that Ms Elia, who grew up within the sufferer, Esther Ogbeifun’s, residence, exploited her entry to the girl’s telephones and banking data to switch the cash into Mr Uzoma’s checking account.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly transformed the cash to their private use.
The fee mentioned the alleged transfers occurred between 8 March and 29 July 2026.
One cost accuses Ms Elia of utilizing Ms Ogbeifun’s Moniepoint private banking utility to switch a complete of N35.92 million into an account domiciled with United Bank for Africa and operated by Mr Uzoma.
The cost said that the alleged transaction precipitated monetary loss to Ms Ogbeifun and violated Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and many others.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
The defendants pleaded not responsible when the costs have been learn to them.
After their pleas, prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, requested the court docket to set a trial date and remand the defendants in custody.
Justice C. A. Obiozor ordered the defendants to be remanded to the Benin Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to 7 December for listening to.
A associated PREMIUM TIMES report printed in March 2026 detailed an EFCC prosecution involving alleged unauthorised withdrawals from financial institution accounts by means of cell banking purposes.
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