EFCC withdraws charges against Maryam Shehu, Abubakar Abdulhamad

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 over alleged cybercrime and the dissemination of malicious information against the Commission.

The two defendants were arraigned on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on charges bordering on cyberstalking.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the Commission had considered the alleged conduct of the defendants to be 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.

However, Olukoyede, in exercising leniency, considered the passionate pleas and apologies made by Shehu’s father, as well as appeals from well-meaning Nigerians for the withdrawal of the charges.

Oyewale said the EFCC chairman had consequently directed that the charges against the two young Nigerians be withdrawn.

The Commission, however, warned that it would not tolerate deliberate attacks on its image through any medium, platform or channel.

“The EFCC’s boss assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to function in line with its assigned mandate and in the best interests of the nation,” the statement said.

The development means the two defendants will no longer face prosecution over the charges that led to their arraignment.

The EFCC urged Nigerians to continue to engage the Commission responsibly, while reaffirming its commitment to carrying out its statutory responsibilities in the national interest.