EFCC Drops Cybercrime Charges Against Maryam Shehu, Abubakar Abdulhamad After Appeals

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has dropped cybercrime charges against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad following appeals for mercy and public apologies.

The two young Nigerians were arraigned on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The EFCC had accused them of cyberstalking and spreading false information about the agency online, an offence under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act as amended in 2024.

According to the Commission, the case came from two different social media posts made earlier this year. On June 21, 2026, Maryam posted on Instagram that EFCC officers had assaulted a man named Ahmed Uthman. She claimed the action was ordered by a zonal director who allegedly collected N20 million from another person. The EFCC said the post was meant to damage the agency’s reputation.

In May 2026, Abubakar was accused of sharing a fake EFCC arrest notice on X, formerly Twitter. The post carried the picture of a suspect named Sadeeq Kabeer and claimed his only crime was selling laptops to students at cheap prices. The Commission described it as a fabricated image intended to mislead the public.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty during their first court appearance. Maryam was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre while Abubakar was held at Kuje Correctional Centre pending bail.

On Friday, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede directed that the charges be withdrawn. In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the Commission said the decision followed appeals from Maryam’s father and from well-meaning Nigerians who asked for leniency.

Olukoyede also warned that the EFCC will no longer tolerate deliberate attacks on its image, whether online or offline. He assured Nigerians that the Commission remains committed to carrying out its duties in line with the law and in the best interest of the country.

The Evolution Of Igbo Highlife Music: An Exclusive Interview With Professor Onye Egwu

H ighlife music is a genre that has been harmonizing culture and beats in Nigeria and across Africa for decades. In this interview, Nigerian highlife singer CHIBUIKE JOHNPAUL ANEKWE , best known by his stage name " PROFESSOR ONYE EGWU ", shares his journey, influences, and vision for Igbo highlife. As a visual artist, he brings a unique perspective to the genre, drawing inspiration from Igbo highlife legends. He also discusses his collaboration plans and reveals his plans to introduce Igbo highlife to new audiences. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. 1. Can you share a bit about yourself, and when did your love for highlife start? My full name is Chibuike Johnpaul Anekwe, though I am more widely recognized by my stage name, Professor Onye Egwu. Apart from music, I am a visual artist. I guess I was born with music, because I started playing as early as when I was in Primary School. I would always assemble all sorts of tins like in typical drums set up and play to my delight....

NANS Threatens to Shut Down MTN Over Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

T he National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a final warning to South Africa over violent attacks on Nigerians, saying major businesses like MTN could be forced out of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters reported. NANS sent a letter to South African High Commissioner Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku in Abuja, expressing anger at what it called continuous and brutal xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa. The letter, signed by NANS President Comrade Atiku Isah, said the association speaks for over 40 million Nigerian students. Isah said the group would no longer tolerate what he called the systematic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. NANS said it was unacceptable for South Africans to attack other Africans. The group noted Nigeria’s key role in ending Apartheid, stating that Nigeria provided financial and diplomatic backing and made huge sacrifices for South Africa’s freedom. The association said the current violence go...

Unveiling '3 Cold Dishes': A Gripping Tale of Survival, Revenge, and Justice

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN H uman trafficking has been a significant issue affecting millions worldwide, causing long term physical and emotional harm to victims. In this interview, Nigerian award-winning filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi Samson reveals how he started as a filmmaker and unveils what prompted him to shed light on the harrowing reality of human trafficking through the movie " 3 Cold Dishes ," which explores themes of trauma , revenge , and survival , showcasing women's strength and resilience in the face of human trafficking. Asurf Oluseyi, founder of Asurf Films Ltd ., directed the movie " A Day with Death ," which received 10 international nominations and won Best Short Film at AMVCA 2016 . He is also the director of the movie " Hakkunde ," which represented Nigeria at the 50th anniversary edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 2019. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN brings excerpts. 1. How did yo...

SEPTEMBER TOP SCOOPS IN NIGERIA

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Afriland & Central Plaza Infernos: A Call to Action for Enhanced Fire Safety F ire outbreaks remain a persistent crisis in Nigeria, claiming lives and destroying properties. The two recent incidents in Lagos show how severe it can be. On September 16, 2025 , around 1:20 pm, a fire broke out at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island . The inferno was triggered by an electrical fault in the basement of inverter batteries in the building, which resulted in the tragic loss of ten lives due to smoke spreading via air-conditioning ducts. The deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning . According to national dailies, at least 25 people were injured. The high-rise building harbored different firms, including United Bank for Africa (UBA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc . Just hours later, between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, anothe...

16 Nigerian Directors Behind Afrobeats’ Global Visual Identity

A s Afrobeats has gone global and earned worldwide recognition, the directors behind its most watched videos have become key cultural figures. These Nigerian filmmakers turn hit songs into cinematic stories that reach millions, blending local culture with bold creative ideas. Their work has helped define how the world sees Afrobeats. The directors below are presented in no order of importance or ranking. Each has made a distinct mark on the genre’s visual growth. Director Pink P raise Onyeagwalam is one of the few prominent female directors in Afrobeats. She broke through with Chike and Simi’s “Running To You,” a video praised for its emotional storytelling. Through Pinkline Films and Pinkline Academy, she directs high profile work and trains emerging filmmakers. Kemzart A diukwu Daniel Nkemakolam, known professionally as Kemzart, is a Nigerian director recognized for concept-driven visuals. He gained prominence with Shallipopi’s “Cast” and has since directed high-impact videos f...

Peter Okoye Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deal, Confirms New Single Release Date

N igerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as 'Mr P', has signed a five-year, multi-million dollar distribution deal and confirmed the release date for his forthcoming single. In a statement released to fans on Friday, May 1, 2026, the singer disclosed that he recently entered an agreement with an undisclosed distribution company. He noted that release dates will now be “strategically scheduled under the contract,” limiting his control over rollout timelines. “Because of this agreement, I don’t have full control over exactly when songs or the album drop,” Okoye wrote. The first single from his 'OG Forever' album is set for release in May 2026, with three to four singles to precede the full album, expected between October and November 2026. Okoye revealed that over 30 songs were recorded for 'OG Forever', with 15 to 16 tracks to make the final cut. He added that he will share details of the recording process with fans beginning this month. The deal covers two ...

The IMOIFF Creatives & Film Festival Sets to Hold 2026 Edition with "Local 2 Global" Theme

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he Imo International Film Festival (IMIFF) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed "Local 2 Global." Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental Film, among others. Technical awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress will also be high-profile h...

April Top Scoops In Nigeria

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ The CBEX SCAM: Red flags and Lessons B arely a few days after the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Emomotimi Agama, revealed in an interview on Arise TV that the new Investment and Securities Act (ISA 2025), recently signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, empowers the commission to arrest and prosecute promoters of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria, with at least 10 years' imprisonment, the month of April brought pains and tears dripping from the eyes to the cheeks of people who invested in CBEX, organized under ST Technologies International Limited, which was said to be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and was even listed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) Special Control Unit against money laundering. This well-coordinated scam became well-known after its crash, as it was revealed by the victims that they were lured into investing in the scheme with high returns after 30...

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