Abuja – The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release Abuja-based socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, within 24 hours.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who issued the ruling on Wednesday, also directed both the EFCC and other parties involved to return to court on May 2, 2025, to provide a compliance report on the order.
This ruling follows an earlier directive by the court, instructing Achimugu to present herself before the anti-graft agency over allegations involving money laundering and conspiracy.
Achimugu was arrested by EFCC operatives around 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday upon arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. She was subsequently detained by the commission. Her legal team later claimed she had embarked on a hunger strike while in EFCC custody to protest the arrest.
Her lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, said Achimugu had returned voluntarily from London to respond to the EFCC’s invitation before being detained.
Achimugu was declared wanted by the EFCC in March on allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, and unlawful possession of assets. The EFCC said she violated her bail terms and failed to respond to several invitations, prompting the issuance of a warrant.
In its affidavit submitted to the court, the EFCC stated that Achimugu, through her company Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, acquired two oil blocs—PPL 3007 (Shallow Water) and PPL 302-DO (Deep Offshore)—for $25.3 million. The commission alleged that the acquisition involved questionable financial sources and cash-based transactions via Bureau De Change operators.
According to the EFCC, the transactions raised red flags, particularly as the origin of the funds was not traceable to legitimate income or business partners. The commission also alleged that bribes were paid to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in the course of acquiring the oil blocs.
Furthermore, EFCC investigations revealed that Achimugu operates 136 bank accounts across 10 commercial banks in Nigeria under her personal and corporate identities.
Although the oil blocs were successfully allocated to Ocean Gate Engineering, the EFCC noted that no exploration or production activity had commenced since acquisition, raising further suspicion over the motive behind the transactions.
Justice Ekwo emphasized the need for due process and reminded the EFCC of its responsibility to act within the bounds of the law.
