The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 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 anti-graft agency.
The EFCC disclosed that Olukoyede directed that the charges against the two defendants be dropped after considering appeals for leniency, including what it described as passionate pleas and apologies from Shehu’s father as well as interventions by well-meaning Nigerians.
Shehu and Abdulhamad were arraigned on August 21, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
According to the Commission, the allegations against them bordered on cyberstalking and the alleged dissemination of malicious information against the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged conduct was considered an offence 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 same Act.
Despite the Commission’s position that the alleged conduct warranted prosecution, the EFCC said its chairman opted for leniency after considering the circumstances surrounding the case and the appeals made on behalf of the defendants.
“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 and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act, the Executive Chairman, nonetheless, considered the passionate pleas and apologies of Shehu’s father and appeals of well-meaning Nigerians for leniency,” the Commission stated.
Consequently, Olukoyede directed that the charges filed against the two young Nigerians be withdrawn.
The EFCC, however, accompanied the decision with a warning that it would not tolerate what it described as wilful attacks on its image through any medium or platform.
“To this end, he has directed that charges filed against the two young Nigerians be dropped and warned that the EFCC would no longer tolerate any wilful attack on its image in any form, medium or platform,” the statement said.
Olukoyede also assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities in accordance with its mandate and in the overall interest of the country.
The withdrawal directive brings an abrupt turn to the prosecution shortly after the defendants were arraigned, with the EFCC attributing the decision to appeals for compassion and leniency rather than a change in its position on the alleged conduct.