The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally halted its prosecution of Maryam Isah Shehu, a final-year student at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), alongside co-defendant Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad. The decision to drop all charges was authorized by EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede following public outcry and direct appeals for mercy.
The resolution was made public on Friday, August 21, 2026, through a press release issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale. ​The duo had been brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja just a day prior, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, where they entered “not guilty” pleas to separate charges of cyberstalking and spreading false information.
The anti-graft agency initially alleged that Shehu and Abdulhamad published defamatory social media posts targeting the Commission’s integrity, violating Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024). ​
Explaining the sudden turnaround, Oyewale disclosed that Olukoyede opted to exercise compassion after receiving formal apologies and emotional entreaties from Shehu’s father, backed by widespread interventions from prominent citizens. ​
While confirming the withdrawal of the case, the EFCC chairman cautioned the public that the agency’s leniency should not be mistaken for weakness. Olukoyede warned that the Commission will continue to enforce zero tolerance for deliberate smear campaigns aimed at undermining its anti-corruption mandate.
