The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, within 24 hours
In a brief ruling on Wednesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed the anti-graft agency to comply with the release order and report back to the court on May 2, 2025, to confirm compliance.
This development follows an earlier court directive issued on Monday, instructing Achimugu to present herself to the EFCC in relation to an ongoing investigation involving alleged money laundering and other financial crimes. The judge had also ordered that she be brought back to court on Wednesday, April 30, following her appearance at the EFCC office.
Achimugu was reportedly arrested by EFCC operatives at about 5 a.m. on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. According to the commission, she is under investigation for alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, corruption, and the unlawful acquisition of properties.
Though she was previously questioned and released on administrative bail, the EFCC later declared her wanted, accusing her of jumping bail. In a public notice, the commission called on the public to provide information on her whereabouts, citing a case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
In a supporting affidavit, the EFCC stated that Achimugu, during a prior arrest on February 12, 2024, provided a statement in the presence of her lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba. In that statement, she allegedly admitted that N8.71 billion had been paid into her corporate accounts as part of an investment fund to acquire oil blocks.
Further investigation revealed that through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, she acquired two oil blocks — Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO — for a total of $25.3 million, mainly through cash transactions with Bureau De Change operators, who then made payments to the Federal Government via corporate accounts.
The EFCC alleges that the source of the $25.3 million could not be traced to any legitimate income or business partners, and that the acquisition process was marred by corruption, including bribes paid to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. The commission also noted that the oil blocks have yet to commence exploration or production.
Additionally, the EFCC claimed that Achimugu operates 136 bank accounts across ten banks in both her personal and corporate capacities.
In response to the EFCC’s actions, Achimugu filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC and five other agencies, including the Nigeria Police, DSS, ICPC, NSCDC, and the Nigerian Immigration Service. In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, she sought an interim injunction to restrain the agencies from arresting or harassing her, or violating her rights to freedom, privacy, and property.
She argued that her declaration as “wanted” was baseless and intended to humiliate her, tarnish her reputation, and cause irreparable harm.
Although the rights suit was scheduled to be heard on April 11, her lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, told the court that none of the respondents appeared or filed any response, despite being served. Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to April 28, granting the respondents a final opportunity to appear and show cause.
At Wednesday’s resumed hearing, Ogunwumiju informed the court that Achimugu had filed an affidavit of facts earlier that morning. Justice Ekwo, in his ruling, stated:
“The third respondent (EFCC) has granted the applicant bail. Now the court being faced with that will now allow the third respondent to conclude the issue of granting the applicant bail. I am reminded to make this order.
The third respondent is hereby ordered to foster the release of the applicant within 24 hours of this order.”
The matter was adjourned to May 2, 2025, for further hearing and compliance review.
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