The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two youths, Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and the publication of information intended to tarnish the image of the commission.
Maryam was arraigned on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on an amended one-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged wilful character assassination of the EFCC through her Instagram account.
Abdulhamad, on the other hand, was arraigned on a separate one-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged fabrication of the identity of the commission.
According to the charge against Shehu, she allegedly used her Instagram account, @maryamshehu, on June 21, 2026, to publish a message claiming that EFCC officials assaulted one Ahmed Uthman on the instruction of a zonal director who allegedly collected N20 million from one Usman Iya Abbas.
The EFCC said the publication was intended to tarnish the reputation of the commission, adding that the alleged offence contravened Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
Similarly, the commission alleged that Abdulhamad, through his X account, @shuraimi, published an image in May 2026 that was fabricated to resemble an official EFCC arrest placard.
The image allegedly depicted one Sadeeq Kabeer as a suspect arrested by the EFCC, with the inscription: “His only crime was selling laptops at affordable price to student.”
The commission said the publication was intended to tarnish its reputation and constituted an offence under the same provision of the Cybercrimes Act.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, asked the court to fix a date for trial and ordered that Shehu be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.
Counsel to Shehu, C.O. Amalaha, informed the court that she had filed a bail application and urged the court to grant her client bail on liberal terms.
Similarly, counsel to Abdulhamad, Adamu K. Adamu, informed the court of his bail application and prayed that his client be remanded in EFCC custody.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered that Shehu be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Abdulhamad was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The judge adjourned the matter until August 31, 2026, for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications and commencement of trial.
The EFCC said the arraignment formed part of efforts to ensure that individuals allegedly involved in blackmail, fabrication and deliberate attempts to damage the commission’s reputation are brought before the law.
