- EFCC drops charges against two Nigerians
- A Bayero University student was among the defendants
- The commission cited appeals for leniency in its decision
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has discontinued the cybercrime charges filed against two Nigerians, including a final-year student of Bayero University, Kano, Maryam Isah Shehu.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad were separately brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday over allegations of cybercrime and spreading information the EFCC considered damaging to its reputation.
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The commission had accused Shehu of publishing a social media post on June 21 alleging that EFCC officials assaulted a man identified as Ahmed Uthman. The post also alleged that a zonal director of the commission received N20 million from an individual identified as Usman Abbas.
According to the EFCC, the publication amounted to cyberstalking and violated Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
Abdulhamad faced a separate charge under the same provision. Both defendants pleaded not guilty after the allegations were read to them in court.
However, the EFCC later decided to withdraw the cases following appeals for leniency and apologies made on behalf of the defendants.
The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday, saying Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede ordered that the charges be dropped after considering the pleas from Shehu’s father and other Nigerians.
Oyewale said the commission maintained that the alleged conduct violated the Cybercrimes Act but that the EFCC chairman was persuaded by the appeals and expressions of remorse.
The commission said the decision was made as an act of compassion towards the two young Nigerians.
However, Olukoyede warned that the EFCC would continue to take action against deliberate attempts to damage its reputation through any platform.
The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out its responsibilities in accordance with its legal mandate and in the interest of the country.
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