EFCC goes tough, fires officer accused of stealing N22m exhibits

A Kaduna state high court has adjourned till December 11, 2025 the trial of Polycarp Andrew, an former officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dismissed for allegedly stealing exhibits worth over N22 million.

Andrew, a former exhibit keeper at the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal office, was arraigned on May 5, 2025, on a six-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, H.M. Mohammed, EFCC counsel, told the court he was ready to proceed with two witnesses. He identified one of the witnesses as an EFCC officer and an official, and another as an Opay staff.

However, D.B. Kwajafa, defence counsel, said he was not ready for trial, arguing that the defendant needed more time to prepare his defence.

Kwajafa said he had only just received a flash drive containing the video recording of Andrew’s extra-judicial statement and sought time to review it. Mohammed opposed the application, stating that the video was not relevant at the current stage of the proceedings.

After hearing both parties, A. Bello, presiding judge, adjourned the case to December 11 for trial to commence.

Andrew was said to have fled to Taraba state after allegedly diverting funds kept in his custody as exhibits while serving as exhibit keeper at the Kaduna zonal office of the EFCC.

According to the charge, he allegedly misappropriated various sums, including $11,900 (about N10.9 million), $3,800 (about N5.9 million), and $2,800 (about N3.8 million), all entrusted to him for safekeeping between 2023 and 2024.

The offences are said to contravene Section 300 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.(The Cable)