The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign one of its own, a former exhibit keeper, for the alleged theft of cash exhibits valued at approximately $11,900, a development that tests the agency's much-publicized zero-tolerance policy for corruption.
According to a report by The PUNCH, the dismissed staff member, Polycarp Andrew, who served at the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate, is facing six counts of criminal breach of trust. Andrew is accused of stealing foreign currency and naira exhibits that were under his custody for safekeeping.
Sources revealed that Andrew allegedly fled his duty post after committing the theft but was later tracked down and arrested in Taraba State. The charges, sighted by The PUNCH, detail multiple instances where the former exhibit keeper betrayed his position of trust.
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One of the charges states that Andrew, “being a public servant (Exhibit Keeper) in the employment of the EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Directorate between October 6, 2023, and July 27, 2024... and in such capacity entrusted with the sum of $3,800, equivalent to N5,989,900, for safe keeping, did commit criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum of money.”
Another count accuses him of a similar breach involving $2,800 (about N3.8 million). The offences are deemed punishable under Section 300 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017. The trial is scheduled to commence at the Kaduna State High Court on December 11, 2025.
This incident aligns with the EFCC's recent internal cleanup. In January 2025, the commission's spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the dismissal of 27 officers for various offences, including fraudulent activities. The action, based on the recommendations of the EFCC’s Staff Disciplinary Committee and approved by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was described as a reinforcement of the agency's commitment to integrity. The prosecution of Andrew serves as a high-profile test of this resolve, demonstrating that the anti-graft war must first be won within its own ranks.
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