EFCC sacks officer accused of stealing ₦22m exhibits

A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned the trial of Polycarp Andrew, a dismissed officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accused of stealing exhibits worth over ₦22 million, until December 11, 2025.

Andrew, who previously 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 the charges During Wednesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel, H.M. Mohammed, informed the court that he was ready to call two witnesses — an EFCC officer and a staff member of Opay.

However, defence counsel, D.B. Kwajafa, requested an adjournment, saying he had just received a flash drive containing a video of the defendant’s extra-judicial statement and needed time to review it.

Mohammed objected, insisting that the video was irrelevant at this stage, but the presiding judge, Justice A. Bello, adjourned the trial to December 11 to allow for proper preparation.

According to the EFCC, Andrew allegedly diverted funds kept in his custody while serving as exhibit keeper and later fled to Taraba State.

He is accused of misappropriating several sums, including $11,900 (₦10.9m), $3,800 (₦5.9m), and $2,800 (₦3.8m), all meant to be held as exhibits between 2023 and 2024.

In 2025, it was reported that the EFCC dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024 for various offences related to fraudulent activities and misconduct.

The anti-graft agency announced that the dismissal was based on recommendations from its Staff Disciplinary Committee and subsequently ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s zero tolerance for corruption, emphasising that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures.