The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered the withdrawal of charges against two young Nigerians, Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, who were arraigned over alleged cybercrime and peddling of malicious information against the commission.
The two defendants were arraigned on Thursday, August 21, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on charges relating to cyberstalking.
The EFCC, in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the charges were filed under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
However, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, ordered the withdrawal of the charges after considering pleas for leniency from Shehu’s father and appeals from well-meaning Nigerians.
“While the Commission considered the arraignment of the two defendants for cyber stalking to be contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended) 2024, the Executive Chairman, nonetheless, considered the passionate pleas and apologies of Shehu’s father and appeals of well-meaning Nigerians for leniency,” the statement said.
Olukoyede subsequently directed that the charges against the two defendants be dropped.
The EFCC chairman, however, warned that the commission would not tolerate what it described as wilful attacks on its image through any form, medium or platform.
He assured Nigerians that the commission would continue to operate within its statutory mandate and in the best interests of the country.
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