Alleged Fraud: Court Orders EFCC To Release Aisha Achimugu In 24 Hours

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

The Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, directed the parties in the suit especially the EFCC, to report to the court to give report on compliance to the order of the court on May 2, 2025.

Justice Ekwo had on Monday, directed Achimugu to submit herself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an on-going investigation bordering on Money laundering and other offences.

The trial judge also held that following her appearance at the EFCC office, the antigraft agency is to return with her and make an appearance before the court on Wednesday April 30, for report.

However, the EFCC arrested Achimugu at about 5am on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon her arrival from the United Kingdom.

The EFCC is investigating Achimugu on a case involving alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, corruption, and possession of properties reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.

Aisha Achimugu, who was previously arrested and questioned by the EFCC, was later released on administrative bail by the the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC had in a statement urged the public to provide information about Achimugu’s whereabouts, saying; “The public is hereby notified that AISHA SULAIMAN ACHIMUGU is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering”.

The EFCC in its affidavit to show cause, averred that on February 12, 2024, when Achimugu was previously arrested, in their office with her lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, she wrote a statement and explained some of the huge funds which passed through her corporate bank accounts.

Displeased with the wanted declaration, Achimugu filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Immigration Service to stop her planned arrest.

Achimugu in an exparte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, among others, sought an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from threatening or harassing her with arrest, detention and invasion of her “properties or threatening to impede her fundamental right to freedom of movement, liberty, privacy and properties”.

Giving ten grounds why her application should be granted, Achimugu said on March 28, the EFCC declared her wanted, stressing that her declaration as ‘wanted’ was unwarranted, unjustifiable, devoid of probable cause, and calculated to discredit, humiliate, and subject her to public opprobrium, thereby causing irreparable harm to her reputation, personal dignity, and professional standing.

While Achimugu’s rights enforcement suit was scheduled to be heard on April 11, Counsel to the EFCC, Kehinde Ogunwumiju informed the court that the respondents had failed to respond or appear, despite being served with the court’s order.

Justice Inyang Ekwo expressed a desire to hear from the respondents and adjourned the matter to Alril 28, 2025, directing that a hearing notice be served on the respondents.

The judge emphasised that the respondents are given one final opportunity to appear and show cause why Achimugu’s reliefs should not be granted.

At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Ogunwujimi, informed Justice Ekwo that his client (Achimugu), filed an affidavit of facts before the court in the morning.

In a short ruling Justice Ekwo held that; “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 24hrs of this order. I also make an order that parties especially the third respondent (EFCC) responds back to this court in compliance of the order on 2nd May 2025”.

The matter was also adjourned to same day for hearing of the processes filed.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, presented the billionaire businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegation of fraud and money laundering.