Alleged Fraud: Federal High Court Orders EFCC to Release Aisha Achimugu Within 24 Hours

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release billionaire businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, within 24 hours.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the directive in a brief ruling, mandating the EFCC to comply with the order and appear before the court on May 2, 2025, to report on its adherence.

Earlier on Monday, the court had instructed Achimugu to present herself at the EFCC’s office in connection with an ongoing probe into alleged money laundering and related financial crimes. The judge further ordered that following her compliance, the EFCC should appear in court on April 30 alongside the applicant to give a status report.

However, contrary to expectations, EFCC officials apprehended Achimugu around 5 a.m. on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, shortly after she arrived from the United Kingdom.

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The EFCC’s investigation into Achimugu revolves around allegations of criminal conspiracy, obtaining funds by false pretenses, money laundering, and the possession of assets suspected to be acquired through unlawful means.

It is not the first time Achimugu has been in EFCC custody. She was previously detained, interrogated, and later released on administrative bail. The Commission had publicly declared her wanted, encouraging citizens to provide relevant information about her whereabouts.

According to an affidavit filed by the EFCC, Achimugu had been arrested earlier on February 12, 2024, and questioned in the presence of her lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, during which she reportedly provided a statement and attempted to account for significant sums transacted through her company’s bank accounts.

Objecting to her “wanted” status and alleging violations of her constitutional rights, Achimugu initiated a fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit against several government agencies, including the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, ICPC, DSS, NSCDC, and the Nigerian Immigration Service.

In the ex parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, she requested an interim injunction to restrain the agencies from arresting or harassing her, or infringing upon her rights to personal liberty, movement, and privacy.

Achimugu argued that the EFCC's decision to declare her wanted was without merit, unwarranted, and aimed at tarnishing her image and causing irreparable damage to her personal and professional standing.

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Although the suit was initially set for hearing on April 11, the EFCC failed to file its response, prompting Justice Ekwo to adjourn the matter to April 28, with a stern warning that all respondents must appear to defend their positions.

At the latest sitting, EFCC counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), informed the court that his client had filed an affidavit earlier that day. Justice Ekwo, while acknowledging the development, ruled that the applicant had now been granted bail and ordered the anti-graft agency to finalize the release process.

"The third respondent (EFCC) is hereby directed to ensure the applicant's release within 24 hours of this order," the judge declared. He also instructed all parties to appear on May 2, 2025, for a compliance hearing.

Meanwhile, the EFCC presented Achimugu before the court on April 30 as ordered, amid the ongoing legal contest surrounding the probe.

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