Sowore Accuses EFCC of “Hunting Down” Citizens Over Alleged Cyberbullying

AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the detention and arraignment of two people accused of cyberbullying the agency.

Sowore said he attended two separate court proceedings involving the defendants before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he alleged that both individuals had spent close to 30 days in detention before being brought before the court.

According to him, rather than being allowed to return home while their cases continue, both defendants were remanded in prison custody.

Sowore identified one of the defendants as Maryam Isa Shehu, a final-year student of Bayero University Kano (BUK). He said she was remanded at Suleja Prison, while the other defendant was sent to Kuje Prison.

He said both defendants are expected to remain in custody until August 31.

Sowore described Maryam’s situation as particularly concerning because she is expected to begin her final university examinations on Saturday.

“What makes Maryam’s situation even more disturbing is that she is a final-year university student who is due to begin her final examinations this Saturday,” Sowore said.

“None of that appeared to matter.”

The AAC candidate accused the EFCC, under its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of going beyond its anti-corruption mandate by pursuing citizens over criticism and alleged cyberbullying.

“The @officialEFCC under Ola Olukoyede is inherently evil,” Sowore said.

He questioned why an agency established to fight financial crimes would be involved in the detention and prosecution of citizens over alleged cyberbullying.

“An anti-corruption agency should be fighting corruption, not turning itself into an institution for hunting down, detaining and prosecuting citizens over criticism or alleged ‘cyberbullying,’” he said.

Sowore further questioned the decision to keep the defendants in prison after they had already spent nearly a month in detention before their arraignment.

“What kind of institution detains a university student for nearly a month, arraigns her for allegedly cyberbullying the agency, and then seeks to keep her behind bars while her final examinations are about to begin?” he asked.

The comments come as the EFCC continues to pursue cases involving alleged online offences, while concerns over the use of criminal proceedings in response to criticism and social media activity continue to generate public debate.

Sowore’s comments are his account of the court proceedings and the circumstances surrounding the defendants’ detention. The allegations against the defendants remain before the court.

EFCC Explains Why It Froze Osun Government Account, Cites Probe Into Alleged ₦11 Billion Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended its decision to freeze the bank account of the Osun State Government, saying the action was taken to prevent what it described as suspicious movement of public funds amid an ongoing investigation into the state’s finances.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 over the alleged handling of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

According to the EFCC, investigators are probing alleged financial transactions amounting to about ₦11 billion, with several state officials, including the Accountant General, already questioned as part of the investigation.

The commission stated that it did not initially consider freezing the state’s account but changed its position after allegedly detecting large transfers from the account beginning on August 2.

It claimed that funds were being moved into several corporate accounts considered suspicious, prompting the agency to issue a Post No Debit (PND) order to halt further transactions.

“The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved,” the statement read.

The EFCC maintained that the action was taken under its preventive powers to safeguard public resources and insisted it could not ignore what it believed was an attempt to divert state funds.

Responding to criticism linking the account freeze to the forthcoming Osun governorship election, the commission denied any political motive.

It said the timing of the election could not prevent it from carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

“The Commission is fully aware of the impending governorship election in Osun State, but it has a responsibility to act in defence of the sanctity of public funds,” it stated.

The anti-corruption agency also disclosed that Osun is not the only state currently under financial scrutiny, noting that investigations involving several other state governments are ongoing as part of efforts to promote accountability in the management of public resources.

The EFCC further rejected allegations that its actions were politically motivated, insisting that it remains non-partisan and acts solely in the interest of protecting public funds.

“The Osun State Government account was frozen to save public funds from being looted,” the commission added.

The latest statement comes hours after Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke accused the EFCC of freezing the state’s account without a court order, describing the move as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.

The governor had challenged the commission to publicly explain the legal basis for its action, warning that federal agencies must not undermine the constitutional rights of state governments.

The disagreement has intensified political tensions in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with both the state government and the EFCC defending their respective positions.

As of the time of filing this report, neither party has indicated whether the dispute will be resolved through the courts.