The two defendants were arraigned separately on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations bordering on cybercrime and publications the commission said were intended to tarnish its reputation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered the withdrawal of cybercrime charges filed against two Nigerians, Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, following their arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, directed that the charges be withdrawn after considering the pleas and apologies made by Shehu’s father as well as appeals from Nigerians for leniency.
The two defendants were arraigned separately on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations bordering on cybercrime and publications the commission said were intended to tarnish its reputation.
The commission, in a statement, said it had considered the alleged offences 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 same law.
