Man remanded for allegedly stealing exhibit from EFCC office

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday remanded a man, Philip Jordan, for allegedly stealing an exhibit from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office. The EFCC arraigned Jordan before Justice Rahman Oshodi on a two-count charge of stealing and dealing with property subject to forfeiture without due authorization.  The defendant, however, pleaded not […]

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday remanded a man, Philip Jordan, for allegedly stealing an exhibit from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office.

The EFCC arraigned Jordan before Justice Rahman Oshodi on a two-count charge of stealing and dealing with property subject to forfeiture without due authorization.

 The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Ms. Zeenat Atiku, requested a trial date, informing the court of the prosecution’s readiness to call all witnesses in a single day. She further urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre.

Defence Counsel, Mr. Kelechi Onyegbule, informed the court that he had just been briefed on the matter and orally applied for bail on behalf of the defendant. 

Justice Rahman Oshodi declined the oral application and directed the defence to file a formal bail application.

The judge thereafter remanded the defendant and adjourned the case until March 3 for the commencement of trial.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant entered the exhibit room without authorization from the EFCC and dishonestly took an iPhone 14 Pro—property of the Federal Government of Nigeria—for his personal use.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Section 32(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and Section 280(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)