EFCC May Discontinue Case Against BUK Student as NANS Pushes for Her Release

EFCC signals willingness to discontinue its case against BUK final-year student Maryam Isah Shehu as NANS pushes for her release after nearly 30 days in custody.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has indicated its willingness to discontinue the case against Maryam Isah Shehu, a final-year student of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), who was remanded at the Suleja Custodial Centre after her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The development was disclosed by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Babtee, who said he had been at the Federal High Court, Abuja, since Friday morning following communication with the EFCC leadership over the case.

According to him, he had met with both Shehu’s lawyer and the EFCC counsel and was awaiting the presiding judge, while efforts were also being made to determine whether the judge could sit on the matter on Friday to facilitate the student’s release.

“I have been at the Federal High Court Abuja since morning, following communication with the leadership of the EFCC that they are willing to discontinue the case against Maryam Isah Sheu,” the NANS president said.

Shehu was arraigned on Thursday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over an alleged Instagram publication which the EFCC said was intended to tarnish the reputation of the commission.

She had spent nearly 30 days in custody before being brought before the court and was subsequently remanded at the Suleja Custodial Centre after the court adjourned her bail application until August 31.

The NANS president expressed concern that the student’s case only came to the attention of the student leadership after it had already reached the court.

He urged Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents across the country to be more proactive in monitoring and responding to issues affecting students, particularly cases involving arrests, detention and other violations of students’ rights.

He also criticised the failure to promptly notify NANS about Shehu’s detention.

“The leadership of NANS ought to have been informed that a student had been picked up and detained for 31 days. Early communication and timely intervention could make a significant difference in cases like this,” he said.

Babtee appealed for calm among Nigerian students as discussions continued towards securing Shehu’s release.

He said NANS would continue to monitor the case and work with relevant stakeholders to protect the rights and interests of students.

As of Friday afternoon, efforts were reportedly ongoing at the Federal High Court to facilitate the student’s release, with the final outcome dependent on the court’s proceedings.