The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the cybercrime charges filed against Maryam Isah Shehu, a final-year student of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, following a directive by its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The two defendants were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, August 20, 2026, over alleged cyberstalking and dissemination of malicious information against the Commission.
In a statement on Friday, EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said 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.
According to him, the offence is punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the amended Act.
Oyewale said Olukoyede decided to withdraw the charges after considering the passionate pleas and apologies made by Shehu’s father, as well as appeals from well-meaning Nigerians.
He said the EFCC chairman consequently directed the withdrawal of the charges against the two young Nigerians.
However, the Commission warned that it would not tolerate deliberate attempts to damage 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 that Shehu and Abdulhamad will no longer face prosecution over the charges that led to their arraignment.
The EFCC urged Nigerians to engage with the Commission responsibly while reaffirming its commitment to carrying out its statutory responsibilities in the national interest.
