The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two individuals before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and the publication of information the commission said was intended to damage its reputation.
The defendants are Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, who were arraigned separately before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Shehu was arraigned on an amended one-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged wilful character assassination of the EFCC through her Instagram account.
According to the charge, Shehu allegedly posted a message on June 21, 2026, 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 commission alleged that the publication was intended to tarnish its reputation and constituted an offence under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
Abdulhamad was separately arraigned on a one-count charge relating to alleged cybercrime and the fabrication of an identity associated with the EFCC.
The commission alleged that in May 2026, Abdulhamad used his X account, @shuraimi, to publish an image designed to resemble an official EFCC arrest placard.
According to the charge, the image depicted one Sadeeq Kabeer as an EFCC suspect, with the inscription: “His only crime was selling laptops at affordable price to student.”
The EFCC alleged that the publication was intended to tarnish the reputation of the commission and was also contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, as amended.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, EFCC prosecution counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, asked the court to set a date for trial and ordered that Shehu be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
Shehu’s counsel, C. O. Amalaha, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and urged the judge to admit her client to bail on liberal terms.
Counsel to Abdulhamad, Adamu K. Adamu, also informed the court of his bail application and requested that his client be remanded in EFCC custody.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered that Shehu be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State, while Abdulhamad was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The judge adjourned the matter until August 31, 2026, for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications and commencement of trial.
The EFCC said the prosecution formed part of its efforts to address alleged blackmail, fabrication and deliberate publication of information aimed at damaging the reputation of the commission.
