EFCC chair orders withdrawal of charges against two accused of cybercrime

The Chairman of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has directed the withdrawal of charges against Maryam Shehu and Abubakar Abdulhamad. The pair had been arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, facing accusations of cybercrime and disseminating malicious information targeting the EFCC.

The commission had initially considered the charges, which included cyber stalking, to be in violation of Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act of 2015. However, Chairman Olukoyede took into account the earnest pleas and apologies offered by Shehu's father, as well as appeals for leniency from various Nigerians.

In light of these appeals, Olukoyede instructed that the charges filed against the two young Nigerians be dropped. Despite this decision, he issued a stern warning, stating that the EFCC would no longer tolerate any deliberate attacks on its reputation, regardless of the medium or platform used.

The EFCC boss assured the public that the commission remains committed to fulfilling its mandate and acting in the best interests of the nation. The withdrawal of charges signifies a move towards leniency in this specific case, while maintaining a firm stance against future attempts to undermine the EFCC's image.

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the EFCC would no longer tolerate any wilful attack on its image in any form, medium or platform.