RismadarVoice Reporters, August 21, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has ordered the withdrawal of cybercrime charges against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, who were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The two defendants were arraigned on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over alleged cyberstalking and the dissemination of malicious information against the Commission.
The charges were brought under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
However, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, directed that the charges be withdrawn after considering pleas for leniency from Shehu’s father and appeals from other Nigerians.
The Commission said the decision reflected the EFCC Chairman’s consideration of the circumstances surrounding the case and the apologies offered by the defendants.
Olukoyede, however, warned that the Commission would not tolerate deliberate attacks on its reputation through any medium or platform.
He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities in accordance with its mandate and in the national interest.
