By Ebenezer Adamu
Abuja
The much-anticipated prosecution of Sylvanus Enonche Okoh, a suspect in a high-profile identity theft and fraud case, was again delayed on Tuesday after the second defendant failed to appear before a magistrate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The absence of the accused has stalled court proceedings and heightened concerns over inter-agency coordination among Nigerian law enforcement bodies.
Mr. Okoh, who also goes by the alias Kenneth Ogbogu, is reportedly in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on related charges. However, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) FCT Command, which is leading the prosecution, could not present him before the court due to administrative hurdles and his continued detention by another agency.
Sources within the police say Okoh is also under investigation by the State Intelligence Department (SID) of the FCT Police Command for alleged offenses that include forgery, criminal conspiracy, and identity theft.
A senior police official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that while the police are ready to proceed with prosecution, they are currently awaiting formal cooperation from the EFCC to secure Okoh’s release for arraignment.
“The matter is administrative in nature, but the EFCC’s support is key. We are in the process of aligning efforts so that Mr. Okoh can appear in court without further delays,” the officer said.
This latest postponement is the second time court proceedings have been stalled due to the absence of one or more defendants. Family members of the complainants, who have attended previous court dates expecting justice to be served, expressed frustration over the repeated delays.
“It’s disheartening. We came prepared today expecting to see justice begin its course, only to hear that the suspect is still not here,” said a relative of one of the victims. “We fear this may be a tactic to wear us down or allow the case to quietly disappear.”
Observers following the case say this delay underscores broader systemic issues within Nigeria’s justice system—particularly in how law enforcement agencies handle shared responsibilities in complex cases involving multiple suspects and overlapping jurisdictions.
Legal analyst and anti-corruption advocate Barr. Adaku Onuoha emphasized the need for institutional reform. “This case shows once again how the lack of synergy between law enforcement agencies undermines the fight against financial crimes,” she told TruthNigeria. “The suspect is in custody; that should make arraignment easier, not harder.”
While the EFCC declined to comment officially on the matter, a source within the agency acknowledged that discussions were ongoing regarding the appropriate timing and jurisdiction for Okoh’s arraignment.
Meanwhile, the Police remain tight-lipped on when the next court session will be scheduled. However, they reiterated their commitment to ensuring the suspect is brought before a magistrate as soon as inter-agency clearance is obtained.
As public interest in the case grows, so too does pressure on Nigerian authorities to demonstrate transparency, cooperation, and urgency in handling cases of financial crimes that directly impact individuals and businesses.
The court is now expected to reconvene once formal arrangements are concluded between the EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force. Until then, the complainants and the general public wait anxiously for justice to take its course.
