EFCC Withdraws Charges Against Two on Entreaty From Parents

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has compassionately ordered the withdrawal of charges preferred against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, who were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, over allegations of cybercrime and peddling malicious information against the Commission.

The two defendants had been arraigned for cyberstalking, an offence the Commission considered contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act. Their arraignment followed allegations that they were involved in cyberstalking and the spreading of malicious information targeted at the Commission.

Despite the seriousness of the offence for which the duo had been arraigned, the EFCC Chairman took into consideration the passionate pleas and apologies made by Shehu’s father, as well as the appeals of well-meaning Nigerians who called for leniency on behalf of the two defendants.

Weighing these entreaties, Olukoyede decided to extend compassion to the young Nigerians rather than allow the prosecution to proceed.

To this end, the EFCC boss has directed that the charges filed against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad be formally dropped, bringing an end to the legal proceedings that had been initiated against them before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The directive effectively discontinues the case that was before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, sparing the two defendants further prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act.

However, while extending this gesture of leniency, Olukoyede was firm in warning that the EFCC would no longer tolerate any wilful attack on its image, whether such attacks come in any form, through any medium, or on any platform. The warning was directed broadly, signalling that while the Commission was willing to show compassion in this particular instance, it would not continue to overlook attempts to malign its reputation going forward.

The EFCC Chairman further used the opportunity to assure Nigerians that the Commission would continue to function strictly in line with its assigned mandate and in the best interests of the nation. This assurance underscored the Commission’s commitment to its statutory responsibilities even as it exercised discretion in the case involving Shehu and Abdulhamad.