By Ogibia Leman
Abuja
The much-anticipated prosecution of Sylvanus Enonche Okoh, the main suspect in a sprawling identity theft and fraud case, was once again put on hold on Tuesday after the second defendant failed to appear before a magistrate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The trial delay has triggered renewed concern over coordination lapses between Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
Okoh, who also operates under the alias Kenneth Ogbogu, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over similar allegations. The FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force, which is spearheading the prosecution in this case, was unable to bring him to court due to administrative delays and inter-agency custody issues.
According to police sources, Okoh is under simultaneous investigation by the State Intelligence Department (SID) of the FCT Police Command for offenses that include forgery, criminal conspiracy, and identity theft.
A senior officer within the police command, who requested anonymity, acknowledged the difficulty in moving the case forward without cooperation from the EFCC.
“We are ready for prosecution, but Mr. Okoh must be physically present in court. We are working to coordinate with the EFCC so he can be released temporarily for arraignment,” the officer explained.
This is the second time the trial has been postponed due to the defendant’s absence. Families of the victims—some of whom traveled to the court hoping for a breakthrough—were visibly distressed by the continued delays.
“It’s painful. We’ve been waiting for months,” said a brother of one of the complainants. “The authorities should ensure this man is brought to court. We’re beginning to wonder if this case will ever be tried.”
The stalled proceedings have also reignited debate over Nigeria’s fragmented criminal justice system, where overlapping mandates and weak collaboration between security agencies often derail high-profile prosecutions.
“This case is a textbook example of institutional dysfunction,” said Barrister Adaku Onuoha, a legal analyst and anti-corruption advocate. “Mr. Okoh is already in official custody. That should simplify, not complicate, the process of putting him before a judge.”
She added that repeated delays can erode public confidence in both the police and the judiciary, especially in financial crime cases where victims are eager to see justice.
An official from the EFCC, speaking off the record, said internal discussions are ongoing regarding the timing of Okoh’s handover for court proceedings. However, no formal timeline has been announced.
Meanwhile, the police have remained tight-lipped about when the case will resume, although they maintain that efforts are ongoing to facilitate Okoh’s appearance in court.
As the case continues to draw national attention, civil society groups and legal observers are urging Nigerian law enforcement agencies to work more collaboratively and urgently to ensure the judicial process is not compromised by bureaucratic infighting.
The court is expected to reconvene once custody arrangements are ironed out between the EFCC and the Nigeria Police. For now, complainants and the wider public remain in suspense, hoping the case will not fade into obscurity.
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