By Prosper Mene
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release prominent businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours, following her arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation. The ruling, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, also mandates that all parties, particularly the EFCC, report back to the court on May 2, 2025, to confirm compliance with the order.
Achimugu, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group, was apprehended by EFCC operatives at approximately 5 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon her return from London. The arrest followed a court order issued on Monday, April 28, 2025, directing Achimugu to honor an EFCC invitation regarding allegations of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and other financial offenses.
The EFCC had previously declared Achimugu wanted in March 2025, alleging she violated administrative bail terms after an earlier arrest on February 12, 2024. According to the agency, Achimugu operates 136 bank accounts across ten banks and is under investigation for acquiring two oil blocks, Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO—for $25.3 million through her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited. The EFCC claims the funds’ origins are untraceable to legitimate sources and that the acquisition involved corrupt practices, including bribes to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Achimugu’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, and Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, argued that her arrest breached court directives, as she had voluntarily returned to Nigeria to comply with the EFCC’s invitation. They further highlighted her fundamental human rights suit, filed on April 3, 2025, against the EFCC and other agencies, challenging the March 28 wanted declaration as “unwarranted” and damaging to her reputation.
In Wednesday’s ruling, Justice Ekwo instructed the EFCC to finalize Achimugu’s administrative bail process, emphasizing respect for her rights while allowing the agency to continue its investigation. The court’s decision sparked discussions about the EFCC’s legal processes, with some observers questioning the agency’s handling of the case.
Achimugu appeared in court on Wednesday at approximately 11:35 a.m., accompanied by two female EFCC officers, as ordered by the court. The case is adjourned to May 2, 2025, for a compliance report, with the EFCC yet to file formal criminal charges against her.
The investigation into Achimugu’s financial activities continues amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s political and economic landscape, particularly following the 2023 elections
