The Kaduna State High Court has adjourned hearing till December 11, 2025, for the trial of Polycarp Andrew, a dismissed staff member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The presiding judge, Justice A. Bello adjourned the case on Wednesday following the defence counsel, D. B. Kwajafa’s plea that he was not ready for trial.
When the trial opened, EFCC’s counsel, H.M. Mohammed, had informed the court of his readiness to present two witnesses, comprising an officer of the EFCC and an official from Opay bank.
However, upon announcing his appearance, Kwajafa pleaded that he had been recently served with a flash drive containing the video recording of the defendant’s extra-judicial statement when he was arrested.
Further arguing that the defendant was entitled to a fair hearing and adequate time to prepare for his defence, Kwajafa sought an adjournment to study the statement.
But countering Kwajafa’s application for adjournment, the EFCC’s Counsel told the court that the flash drive in question was not relevant at this time of hearing of the case.
After listening to the arguments advanced by both counsels, the judge adjourned the case to December 11, 2025 for hearing.
Andrew was arraigned on May 5 on six-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The Police arrested the suspect in Taraba for allegedly stealing over N22 million from the exhibit of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, while serving as the Directorate’s exhibit keeper.
However, he reportedly absconded after investigations flagged him as the alleged stealer of the exhibit.
Under the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017, stealing of exhibit is considered a criminal breach of trust and is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years, or with a fine, or with both.
Specifically, the offence is punishable under Section 300 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017. This section applies because the person has been entrusted with the property (the exhibit) in their capacity as a public servant and has dishonestly misappropriated or converted it to their own use.
