The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Polycarp Andrew, a dismissed officer and former exhibit keeper of its Kaduna Zonal Directorate, before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, following his alleged involvement in the theft of over N22million exhibit in his care.
In demonstration of its resolve to maintain the integrity of its officers and men, the EFCC under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, also arraigned Polycarp Andrew before Justice A Bello on a sixth-count charge of alleged criminal breach of trust and stealing of over N22million exhibit.
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 later absconded after investigations flagged him as the alleged culprit.
Count 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 to 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(Eleven Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars) in equivalent aggregate sum of N10,936,338.26 (Ten Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Eight Hundred Naira, Twenty Six Kobo) 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.
Count two 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 6th October 2023 to 27th July 2024 in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Kaduna State and in such capacity entrusted with the sum of $3,800(Three Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars) in equivalent aggregate sum of N5,989,900 (Five Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira ) 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.
Count three 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 15th January to 14th June 2024 in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Kaduna State and in such capacity entrusted with the sum of $2,800(Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars) in equivalent aggregate sum of N3,800,000 (Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira ) 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 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 on Wednesday, November 11, 2025, Mohammed informed the court of his readiness to present two witnesses comprising an officer of the EFCC and an official from the Opay bank.
But the defence lawyer, D B Kwajafa, informed the court that he was not ready for trial, arguing that his client was entitled to fair hearing and adequate time to prepare for his defence.
Kwajafa further pleaded that he was 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 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 to December 11, 2025 for further hearing.
- Media Report