The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a dismissed officer and former exhibit keeper of its Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Polycarp Andrew, at a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna.

Andrew allegedly stole over N22 million exhibit kept in his care.

The anti-graft commission, under its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, arraigned the former officials before Justice A. Bello on a sixth-count charge of alleged criminal breach of trust and stealing of over N22 million exhibit.

Andrew was arrested in Taraba State after he allegedly stole the exhibit while holding sway as the exhibit keeper of the Kaduna directorate.

He absconded after investigations flagged him as the alleged culprit.

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 January 26 to October 11, 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 in equivalent aggregate sum of N10,936,338.26 for safe keeping did commit criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum of money an offence punishable under section 300 of Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.”

Andrew was arraigned on May 5, 2025 on a six-count charge of alleged criminal breach of trust.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty to the offence preferred against him by the EFCC.

The development prompted the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, H. M. Mohammed, to pray the court for a date for the commencement of the trial.

When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, Mohammed informed the court of his readiness to present two witnesses comprising an officer of the EFCC and an official from the Opay payment platform.

But the defence lawyer, D. B. Kwajafa, informed the court that he was not ready for trial.

The lawyer argued that his client was entitled to fair hearing and adequate time to prepare for his defence.

Kwajafa announced that he was only recently served with a flash drive containing the video recording of the extra-judicial statement of his client when he was arrested and sought an adjournment to study the statement.

Opposing Kwajafa’s application for an adjournment, Mohammed told the court that the flash drive in question was not relevant at this time of hearing of the case and urged the court to discountenance his argument.

After listening to both parties, Justice Bello adjourned the case till December 11 for further hearing. (The Nation)