EFCC arraigns Maryam Isah-Shehu, Abubakar Shuraim-Abdulhamad over alleged cybercrime, image tarnishing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime, false information and the wilful tarnishing of the image of the anti-graft agency through social media publications.

The defendants were arraigned separately on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. While Shehu faced an amended one-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged character assassination of the EFCC through her Instagram account, Abdulhamad was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged criminal fabrication of the identity of the Commission.

According to the prosecution, Shehu allegedly used her Instagram handle, @maryamshehu, to publish information accusing EFCC officials of assaulting one Ahmed Uthman, allegedly on the instruction of a Zonal Director who was said to have collected N20 million from one Usman Iya Abbas.

The EFCC alleged that the publication was deliberately made to tarnish the reputation of the Commission.

The charge against Shehu stated: “That you Maryam Isah Shehu on or about the 21st June 2026, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally sent a message by means of a social network service via your Instagram account (@maryamshehu) containing a message which was intended to tarnish the reputation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, when you published that EFCC officials assaulted Ahmed Uthman under the instruction of a Zonal Director who allegedly collected N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) from one Usman Iya Abbas.”

The Commission said the alleged conduct contravened Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and was punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.

Abdulhamad, on his part, was accused of allegedly fabricating an image designed to resemble an official EFCC arrest placard and publishing it through his X account, @shuraimi.

The prosecution alleged that the publication, made sometime in May 2026 in Abuja, depicted one Sadeeq Kabeer as a suspect purportedly arrested by the EFCC, with an inscription stating: “His only crime was selling laptops at affordable price to student.”

According to the charge, the image was fabricated to appear as an official EFCC arrest notice and was allegedly published with the intention of tarnishing the reputation of the Commission.

The charge against Abdulhamad reads in part: “That you Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamid, sometime in May, 2026 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally sent a message by means of a social network service via your X (formerly known as Twitter) account (@shuraimi) containing a message which was intended to tarnish the reputation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, when you published an image fabricated to resemble an official arrest placard of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission…”

The prosecution said the alleged offence was 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 Act.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, urged the court to grant a date for trial and ordered that Shehu be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.

Counsel to Shehu, C.O. Amalaha, however, informed the court that the defence had filed a bail application and urged Justice Abdulmalik to admit the defendant to bail on liberal terms.

Similarly, counsel to Abdulhamad, Adamu K. Adamu, informed the court of his bail application and prayed that his client be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the determination of the application.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered that Shehu be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State, while Abdulhamad was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.

The judge adjourned the matter until August 31, 2026, for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications and commencement of trial.

The arraignment forms part of the EFCC’s efforts to pursue legal action against individuals it accuses of using social media platforms to circulate fabricated information, blackmail and content capable of damaging the reputation of the Commission.

The Commission’s case against the defendants remains an allegation until established by the court, as both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.