Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The ongoing trial of the National Coordinator of Multi-Sectional Crisis Recovery Projects (MCRP) at the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Danjuma Mohammed, suffered another setback on Thursday, June 25, 2026, following his absence from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Zuba, Abuja. Mohammed, who is standing trial alongside Prince Achem and Aminu Alhaji (who is currently at large), is facing an amended 54-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering on conspiracy, false pretence, fraud, and forgery to the tune of N2.2 billion.
When the case was called before Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya, EFCC counsel Joshua Saidi informed the court that he had received a letter from the defence counsel indicating that the first defendant would not be able to attend the proceedings due to a scheduled surgical procedure. Saidi expressed frustration over the development, noting that witnesses had been brought from Gombe, Borno, and Katsina states to testify, only to have the trial stalled once again. "My lord, we got a letter yesterday from counsel to the first defendant that he is preparing to undergo a scheduled surgery. This is very frustrating because if they had informed us earlier, we wouldn't have bothered on letting all these witnesses from Gombe, Borno, and Katsina come to court today. This is the third time these witnesses have come to court," Saidi told the court.
In response, counsel to the first defendant, M.S. Ibrahim, SAN, explained that his client was unavoidably absent due to a urinary problem diagnosed on June 18, 2026, which required surgery. Ibrahim disclosed that he had provided a letter from the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, authenticating the diagnosis to the prosecution. Counsel to the second defendant, J.J. Usman, SAN, informed the court that although he was ready to proceed with the cross-examination of the First Prosecution Witness, Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, he was constrained from doing so following the absence of the first defendant.
Justice Ogbonnaya subsequently adjourned the matter until July 13, 2026, for the continuation of trial. The adjournment marks the latest delay in a high-profile case that has been pending since the defendants were first arraigned. Mohammed and his co-defendants are accused of defrauding the NEDC of billions of naira through fraudulent contracts and diversion of funds meant for recovery projects in the North-East region. The EFCC has been investigating the alleged fraud since 2023 and has described the case as one of the most significant corruption cases involving a federal agency in recent years.
The NEDC was established in 2017 to coordinate and implement recovery and reconstruction projects in the North-East, a region devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency. The commission has been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, with several officials facing investigation and prosecution. The latest delay in Mohammed's trial is expected to further prolong the legal proceedings, with the EFCC expressing frustration over the repeated adjournments.
As the case continues to drag on, the EFCC has vowed to ensure that all those involved in the alleged fraud are brought to justice. The anti-graft agency has urged the public to remain patient as it works to secure a conviction in the case. The next hearing is scheduled for July 13, 2026, when the trial is expected to resume.
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