Defendant’s Absence Stalls Trial Of Suspects In Alleged N2.2bn

The trial of the National Coordinator of Multi-Sectional Crisis Recovery Projects (MCRP), Danjuma Mohammed, under the North East Development Commission (NEDC), was on Thursday, June 25, 2026, stalled at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Zuba, Abuja.

Mohammed, who is the first defendant in the case, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Prince Achem and Aminu Alhaji, who is currently at large.

Key Highlights:

• Trial in the alleged N2.2bn NEDC fraud case was stalled due to defendant Danjuma Mohammed’s absence.
• EFCC said Mohammed missed court due to a scheduled surgery.
• The case involves a 54-count charge of fraud, conspiracy, and forgery.
• The court adjourned the matter to July 13, 2026 for continuation.

The defendants are facing an amended 54-count charge involving allegations of conspiracy, false pretence, fraud and forgery in connection with an alleged N2.2 billion financial offence.

During Thursday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel, Joshua Saidi, informed the court that Mohammed was absent because he was scheduled to undergo surgery.

Saidi told Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya that the commission received a letter from Mohammed’s lawyer explaining the reason for his absence.

He, however, expressed concern that the notice came late, as witnesses had already travelled from different states to appear in court.

According to him, witnesses from Gombe, Borno and Katsina States had arrived for the hearing, making it the third time they had travelled for the matter.

“This is very frustrating because if we had been informed earlier, we would not have gone through the process of bringing these witnesses to court today,” Saidi said.

Responding, counsel to Mohammed, M.S. Ibrahim (SAN), explained that his client’s absence was unavoidable due to a medical condition.

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He told the court that Mohammed was diagnosed with a urinary problem on June 18, 2026, and doctors advised that he undergo surgery.

The defence lawyer added that a medical report from the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, had been provided to the prosecution.

Meanwhile, counsel to the second defendant, J.J. Usman (SAN), said he was ready to continue with the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Kenneth Ifekudu, but could not proceed because of Mohammed’s absence.

Following the submissions from both sides, Justice Ogbonnaya adjourned the case until July 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.

The EFCC allegations against the defendants remain before the court, where the matter will continue to be determined through the judicial process.