By News Desk
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of cybercrime charges filed against final-year Bayero University Kano (BUK) student Maryam Isah Shehu and co-defendant Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad.
The reversal comes following public outcry, legal advocacy, and formal appeals regarding their arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
Background of the Arraignment and Remand
The two young Nigerians were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Thursday, August 20, 2026, on separate charges under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act as amended in 2024:
- Allegations Against Maryam Shehu: The anti-graft agency alleged that Shehu published content on her Instagram page accusing EFCC operatives of assault and alleging financial impropriety against a zonal director. Defense counsel Chiemela Ozioma Amalaha informed the court that Shehu had been held in custody for nearly 30 days prior to her arraignment.
- Allegations Against Abubakar Abdulhamad: Abdulhamad was charged over a social media post on X featuring a fabricated EFCC placard.
- Remand Orders: Following their non-guilty pleas, Justice Abdulmalik ordered Shehu remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre and Abdulhamad at the Kuje Custodial Centre, adjourning bail applications to August 31, 2026.
EFCC Withdrawal and Administrative Delays
In a statement issued on Friday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission confirmed that Chairman Olukoyede exercised administrative discretion to drop all charges following appeals for leniency from family members, human rights advocates, and public commentators.
However, procedural delays persist at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Civil rights advocates and defense lawyers, including Chiemela Amalaha, human rights attorneys Abba Hikima and Hamza N. Dantani, alongside legal activist Deji Adeyanju, have maintained a presence at the court premises to finalize the necessary administrative paperwork.
The release remains contingent on judicial signing of the discharge orders, with advocates appealing to the court to enable Shehu to return to Bayero University Kano in time for her final examinations.
Neither the Federal High Court registry nor the authorities of Bayero University Kano have issued an official update regarding examination scheduling adjustments.
