The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has discontinued its case against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, following public appeals for leniency after their arraignment in Abuja.
EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, directed the withdrawal of the charges after considering an apology and plea from Shehu’s father, as well as appeals from other Nigerians who urged the Commission to reconsider the matter.
The two defendants had appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, where they faced allegations bordering on cybercrime, cyberstalking and the circulation of malicious information against the anti-graft agency.
The Commission had based the allegations on provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
However, Olukoyede subsequently approved the discontinuation of the case, effectively bringing the prosecution against the two defendants to an end.
The development came shortly after the National Association of Nigerian Students appealed to the EFCC to discontinue the case against Shehu, a student of Bayero University Kano, expressing concern that the legal proceedings could disrupt her academic activities as her examinations approached.
NANS had disclosed on Friday that it engaged the EFCC and other relevant authorities in a bid to secure a resolution that would enable Shehu to continue her studies without disruption.
“The leadership of NANS has reached out to the leadership of the EFCC to seek a resolution that will lead to the discontinuation of the case against Maryam Isah Sheu, a student of Bayero University Kano,” the association said.
The students’ body said its intervention was being pursued through dialogue and constructive engagement, stressing its commitment to protecting the academic interests of Nigerian students.
While announcing the decision, the EFCC chairman cautioned that the Commission would continue to resist what it considers deliberate attacks on its reputation, regardless of the platform used.
He, however, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to carrying out its statutory duties in the interest of the country.
