EFCC withdraws cybercrime charges against two Nigerians

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has ordered the withdrawal of cybercrime charges against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad.

The two were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, August 20, 2026, over allegations of cybercrime and dissemination of malicious information against the commission.

The EFCC said the charges were filed under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, which criminalises certain forms of cyberstalking.

According to the commission, while it maintained its position that the alleged conduct constituted an offence under the law, Olukoyede decided to withdraw the charges after considering pleas for leniency from Shehu’s father and appeals from other Nigerians.

“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.

The EFCC chairman subsequently directed that the charges against the two defendants be dropped.

However, the commission warned that it would not tolerate what it described as wilful attacks on its image through any medium or platform.

The EFCC said Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to carrying out its statutory responsibilities in accordance with the law and in the best interests of the country.

The development comes a day after the two defendants were arraigned separately before the Federal High Court in Abuja.