​Surgery Stalls N2.2bn NEDC Fraud Trial of Danjuma Mohammed

​ABUJA — The ongoing trial of Danjuma Mohammed, the National Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) under the North East Development Commission (NEDC), suffered a setback on Thursday, June 25, 2026. His absence due to an impending medical procedure stalled proceedings before Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Zuba, Abuja.

​Mohammed (the first defendant) is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Prince Achem and Aminu Alhaji (who remains at large). The trio faces an amended 54-count charge bordering on conspiracy, false pretence, forgery, and fraud to the tune of N2.2 billion.

​Prosecution Laments Witness Frustration

​During the court session, EFCC prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, expressed deep frustration over the defense’s late notification. Saidi informed the court that he had received a letter just a day prior, stating that the first defendant was preparing for a scheduled surgery.

​“This is very frustrating because if they had informed us earlier, we wouldn’t have bothered letting all these witnesses from Gombe, Borno, and Katsina come to court today,” Saidi lamented. “This is the third time these witnesses have traveled down to court.”

​Defense Cites Medical Emergency

​Defending the absence, lead counsel to the first defendant, M.S. Ibrahim, SAN, explained that his client’s absence was entirely unavoidable. According to Ibrahim, Mohammed was diagnosed with a urinary condition at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, on June 18, 2026, which required urgent surgical intervention. He noted that an official medical report from the FMC had already been served to the prosecution to authenticate the claim.

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​In reaction, the counsel for the second defendant, J.J. Usman, SAN, stated that while he was fully prepared to cross-examine the first prosecution witness (PW1), Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, the absence of the prime defendant legally constrained him from moving forward.

​Justice Ogbonnaya subsequently adjourned the matter until July 13, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.