EFCC arraigns two over alleged ₦35.92m theft in Edo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of ₦35.92 million from Esther Ogbeifun in Benin City, Edo State. Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre pending further proceedings. The Federal High Court in Benin, presided over by Justice C.A. Obiozor, adjourned the case to December 7, 2026, for hearing. The defendants face seven counts relating to alleged conspiracy, cybercrime and stealing. The EFCC alleges that Elia, who had grown up in Ogbeifun’s home, had access to her phones and banking information. According to the commission, she used that access to transfer money from Ogbeifun’s account to an account operated by Uzoma, her boyfriend. The commission further alleges that the defendants converted the funds to their personal use. One count alleges that Elia used Ogbeifun’s Moniepoint personal banking application to transfer an aggregate ₦35.92 million to Uzoma’s United Bank for Africa account. The prosecution says the transactions occurred in Benin between March 8 and July 29, 2026, and caused financial loss to Ogbeifun. The charge cites Section...