Dismissed Anti-graft Officer Arraigned For Alleged Theft

Justice A. Bello of the Kaduna High Court sitting in Kaduna State has adjourned till December 11, 2025 for hearing in the trial of Polycarp Andrew, a dismissed staff and former exhibit keeper of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Recall that Andrew was arrested in Taraba State after he allegedly stole over N22 million from the exhibit of Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC while holding sway as the exhibit keeper of the Directorate. He absconded after investigations flagged him as the alleged culprit.

Andrew was arraigned on six-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, prompting the EFCC’s counsel, H.M. Mohammed, to request a trial date from the court.

At the opening of the trial, Mohammed informed the court of his readiness to present two witnesses: an officer from the EFCC and an official from Opay Bank.

Defence counsel, DB Kwajafa, upon announcing his appearance, informed the court that he was not ready for trial , arguing that the defendant was entitled to a fair hearing and adequate time to prepare for his defence.

He pleaded that he was recently served with a flash drive containing the video recording of the extra-judicial statement of the defendant when he was arrested and sought an adjournment to study the statement.

Mohammed, in countering Kwajafa’s application for adjournment, told the court that the flash drive in question was not relevant at this time of hearing of the case.

After listening to both counsels, Justice Bello adjourned the case to December 11, 2025 for hearing.