A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned the trial of Polycarp Andrew, a dismissed officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to December 11, 2025.
Andrew, who served as an exhibit keeper at the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal office, was arraigned on May 5, 2025, on a six-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, EFCC counsel H.M. Mohammed informed the court that he was ready to proceed with two witnesses — an EFCC officer and a staff member of Opay. However, the defence counsel, D.B. Kwajafa, said he was not ready for trial, arguing that the defendant needed more time to prepare his defence, having only just received a flash drive containing the video recording of Andrew’s extra-judicial statement. Mohammed opposed the application, insisting that the video was not relevant at the current stage of the proceedings.
After hearing both parties, Justice A. Bello adjourned the matter to December 11 for the commencement of trial.
Andrew was said to have fled to Taraba State after allegedly diverting funds kept in his custody as exhibits while serving at the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal office. According to the charges, he is accused of misappropriating various sums, including $11,900 (about N10.9 million), $3,800 (about N5.9 million), and $2,800 (about N3.8 million), all of which were entrusted to him for safekeeping between 2023 and 2024.
The offences, according to the EFCC, contravene Section 300 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, and represent a serious breach of public trust by a former law enforcement officer.
