Alleged Cybercrime: Olukoyede Orders Withdrawal of Charges against Maryam Shehu, Abubakar Abdulhamad
Alex Enumah in Abuja The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has ordered the withdrawal of charges preferred against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar
According to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede has ordered the withdrawal of charges against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad. Both individuals were initially arraigned on Thursday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court in Abuja, accused of cybercrime and spreading false information about the commission.
However, the charges were withdrawn just 21 hours later on compassionate grounds. The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the decision was influenced by the defendants' passionate pleas, apologies from Shehu’s father, and appeals from Nigerians for leniency. Olukoyede stated that while the initial arraignment was contrary to Section 24(2) (c) of the Cybercrimes Act, he considered the appeals and warned the commission would not tolerate any malicious attacks on its image.
The EFCC boss assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to function in accordance with its mandate and in the best interests of the nation.
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