By Gabriel Ameh
The Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna and presided over by Justice A. Bello, has adjourned the trial of a dismissed staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Polycarp Andrew, to December 11, 2025.
Andrew, a former exhibit keeper at the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate, is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust involving over ₦22 million allegedly stolen from exhibits in his custody.
He was arraigned on May 5, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, November 12, EFCC counsel H.M. Mohammed informed the court that the prosecution was ready to open its case and had prepared two witnesses — an EFCC officer and an Opay Bank official.
However, defence counsel D.B. Kwajafa sought an adjournment, arguing that he needed additional time to review a flash drive recently served on him by the prosecution, which contained a video recording of Andrew’s extra-judicial statement. He maintained that his client was entitled to a fair hearing and sufficient time to prepare his defence.
In response, the EFCC’s counsel opposed the application, insisting that the flash drive was not immediately relevant to the commencement of trial.
After listening to both sides, Justice Bello granted the defence’s request and adjourned the case to December 11, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
According to the EFCC, Andrew was arrested in Taraba State after investigations linked him to the disappearance of exhibit funds totaling over ₦22 million while he served as the exhibit keeper in Kaduna. He reportedly absconded after being indicted.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Andrew Polycarp, being a public servant (Exhibit Keeper) in the employment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kaduna Zonal Directorate, between 26th January and 11th October 2023, in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Kaduna State, and in such capacity entrusted with the sum of $11,900 (₦10,936,338.26) for safe keeping, did commit criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum of money, an offence punishable under Section 300 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.”
Another count alleges that between October 2023 and July 2024, the defendant misappropriated $3,800 (₦5,989,900), while a separate count accuses him of diverting $2,800 (₦3.8 million) between January and June 2024 both offences also punishable under Section 300 of the Penal Code Law, 2017.
