The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, yesterday arraigned one Philip Patrick Jordan before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over the alleged theft of an exhibit in the custody of the anti-graft agency.
Jordan is facing a two-count charge bordering on stealing and dealing with property subject to forfeiture without due authorisation, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.
According to the charge, the defendant allegedly committed the offences on October 15, 2025, in Lagos.
The first count alleged that Jordan, without authorisation from the EFCC, dealt with an iPhone 14 Pro that was the subject of a final forfeiture order to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The second count accused him of dishonestly taking the same iPhone 14 Pro, said to be the property of the Federal Government of Nigeria, for his personal use.
In her opening address, prosecuting counsel Zeenat Atiku told the court that the defendant had visited the EFCC office on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, on an errand when he allegedly stole the phone from the commission’s exhibit room.
She further informed the court that Jordan initially denied the allegation but later admitted to the act after closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, which allegedly captured him committing the offence, was played to him.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Following the plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date, informing the court of its readiness to call all its witnesses in one day. It also urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, defence counsel K C Onyegbule told the court that he had just been briefed in the matter and orally applied for bail on behalf of the defendant.
Justice Oshodi declined the oral application, directing the defence to file a formal bail application in line with due process.
The court thereafter adjourned the case till March 3, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The Guardian
