The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has ordered the withdrawal of charges filed against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, who were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The two young Nigerians were charged with alleged cybercrime and the dissemination of malicious information against the Commission.
They were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over alleged cyberstalking, an offence the EFCC said contravened Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
However, Olukoyede, while acknowledging the Commission’s position on the alleged offences, said he had considered the passionate pleas and apologies made by Shehu’s father, as well as appeals from well-meaning Nigerians for leniency.
Consequently, the EFCC chairman directed that the charges against the two defendants be withdrawn.
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 overall interest of the nation.
