EFCC Arraigns Maryam Shehu, Abubakar Abdulhamad Over Alleged False Information, Image Tarnishing
By Umar Usman Duguri
ABUJA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime, fabrication of information and attempts to tarnish the image of the anti-graft agency.
The defendants were arraigned separately on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Shehu was arraigned on an amended one-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged wilful character assassination of the EFCC through a publication on her Instagram account, while Abdulhamad faced a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged criminal fabrication of an EFCC arrest placard.
According to the charge against Shehu, she allegedly used her Instagram account, @maryamshehu, on or about June 21, 2026, to publish a message accusing EFCC officials of assaulting one Ahmed Uthman under the instruction of a Zonal Director who allegedly collected ₦20 million from one Usman Iya Abbas.
The EFCC alleged that the publication was intended to tarnish the reputation of the Commission.
The charge stated that the alleged conduct constituted an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.
Abdulhamad, on his part, was accused of using his X account, @shuraimi, sometime in May 2026 to circulate an image allegedly fabricated to resemble an official EFCC arrest placard.
The prosecution alleged that the fabricated image depicted one Sadeeq Kabeer as an EFCC suspect and carried the inscription: “His only crime was selling laptops at affordable price to student.”
The EFCC maintained that the publication was intended to tarnish the reputation of the Commission and amounted to an offence under 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 sought an order remanding Shehu in the Suleja Correctional Centre, Niger State.
Counsel to Shehu, C.O. Amalaha, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and urged Justice Abdulmalik to admit his client to 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.
After hearing the submissions, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that Shehu be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Abdulhamad was ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The court adjourned the matter until August 31, 2026, for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications and commencement of trial.
The arraignment forms part of the EFCC’s efforts to pursue individuals it accuses of using social media platforms to circulate fabricated content, malicious allegations and materials capable of damaging the reputation of the Commission.
The allegations remain subject to determination by the court, as both defendants have pleaded not guilty.