EFCC ordered to release Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours 

Federal High Court Orders EFCC to Release Businesswoman and Socialite Aisha Achimugu Within 24 Hours

ABUJA—The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release Aisha Achimugu, a prominent businesswoman and socialite, from detention within the next 24 hours. Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered this ruling on Wednesday, directing the EFCC to free Achimugu on the same terms of the administrative bail previously granted to her by the agency.

This development followed Achimugu’s arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by EFCC operatives, which occurred just a day prior. Justice Ekwo also ordered all involved parties, including the EFCC, to appear before the court on Friday to report on compliance with the court’s directive.

The ruling coincided with the EFCC’s compliance with a previous court order issued last Monday, which required the agency to produce the detained individual before the court. Achimugu, who was initially declared wanted by the EFCC, was brought before the court as part of this process.

The EFCC, represented by investigator Mr. Chris Odofin, submitted a counter-affidavit detailing the circumstances surrounding Achimugu’s detention. The affidavit outlined allegations that she is under investigation for conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretenses, money laundering, corruption, and possession of assets suspected to be acquired unlawfully.

The case, identified as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, was filed by Achimugu herself to prevent various law enforcement agencies—such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the EFCC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)—from arresting her.

The EFCC stated that Achimugu initially complied with its invitation on February 12, 2024, during which she provided a written statement and was granted administrative bail through her legal representative and surety, Darlington N. Ozurumba. However, the agency alleged that she later failed to report back as agreed and instead filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC.

In her statement, Achimugu explained the inflow of N8.71 billion into her corporate bank accounts as an “investment fund” aimed at acquiring an oil block. The EFCC, however, claimed that the funds were transferred to the Federal Government’s account via her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, citing documents from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Further investigations revealed that Achimugu maintained a total of 136 bank accounts across ten different financial institutions, both personal and corporate. The EFCC added that her company had acquired two oil blocks—Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO—at a cost of $25.3 million, with payments allegedly made in cash through bureau de change operators. The Commission expressed concerns that the sources of these funds could not be traced to legitimate business activities or partnerships.

The EFCC also alleged that the acquisition process was marred by corruption. Despite the purchase, neither of the oil blocks had begun exploration or production as of the time of the investigation. The agency emphasized that Achimugu’s legal actions against it and other security agencies appeared to be a calculated attempt to hinder ongoing investigations, despite a previous court ruling in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024 that dismissed her claim of fundamental rights violations.

This latest development underscores the ongoing legal and investigative complexities surrounding Aisha Achimugu and the EFCC’s efforts to unravel her alleged involvement in financial crimes.