There are new rules that may be in effect.
Code:
RULE_BOOL ( Spells, NPC_UseFocusFromSpells, true) // Allow npcs to use most spell derived focus effects.
RULE_BOOL ( Spells, NPC_UseFocusFromItems, false) // Allow npcs to use most item derived focus effects.
The NPC_UseFocusFromSpells is true by default, meaning it's on unless you or Akkadius disabled it on EZ Server.