EFCC Drops Cybercrimes Charges Against 2 Critics Amid Public Scrutiny

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has bowed to pressure to drop cybercrimes charges against two critics based on comments posted on social media platforms.

This comes after the EFCC arraigned MARYAM ISAH SHEHU and ABUBAKAR SHURAIM ABDULHAMAD before Justice JOYCE ABDULMALIK of the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged cybercrime and peddling of malicious information.

EFCC Chairman, OLA OLUKOYEDE ordered the withdrawal of the charges against SHEHU and ADULHAMAD, amid criticism over the case before Justice JOYCE.

Some critics of the action questioned the authority of the EFCC to initiate a case outside its core mandate on economic and financial crimes.

The EFCC Chairman affirmed that the arraignment of the accused persons for cyber stalking under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Act, as Amended 2024.

However, OLA OLUKOYEDE said his decision to order the withdrawal of the charges is based on compassionate grounds.

OLUKOYEDE said the Commission considered the passionate pleas and apologies of SHEHU’s father, as well as other well-meaning Nigerians who appealed for leniency.

The EFCC Boss assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to function in line with its assigned mandate and in the best interests of the nation.