The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has withdrawn charges filed against Maryam Shehu, a student of Bayero University Kano, and Abubakar Abdulhamad, following public backlash over Shehu’s reported detention for nearly 35 days.

The two were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cyberstalking and peddling malicious information against the Commission.

According to court documents and reports, Shehu was accused of sending a message through her Instagram account, `@maryam_shehu`, with the intention of tarnishing the reputation of the EFCC. 

She was allegedly arrested and detained for over a month for allegedly committing cybercrime under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024. The offence is punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.

In a statement, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, said that although the Commission considered the arraignment proper, he took into account “the passionate pleas and apologies” of Shehu’s father and appeals from well-meaning Nigerians for leniency.

“To this end, he has directed that charges filed against the two young Nigerians be dropped,” the statement read.

Despite withdrawing the case, Olukoyede warned that the Commission would no longer tolerate any “wilful attack” on its image in any form, medium, or platform.

He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would continue to discharge its mandate in line with the law and in the best interest of the nation.

The development comes amid growing public debate on the use of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act against critics and social media users.

Sources: Punch News, Vanguard News.