By Prosper Mene
Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed prominent businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at noon, to answer questions related to an ongoing investigation into alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
The court’s order comes following a high-profile case involving Achimugu, the Group Managing Director and CEO of Felak Concept Group, who was declared wanted by the EFCC on March 28, 2025, for failing to honor an earlier invitation dated March 4, 2025. The EFCC’s probe, which began in 2022, centers on allegations of financial misconduct, though the agency has clarified that the investigation is not politically motivated and has no connection to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Achimugu, known for her lavish seven-day 50th birthday celebration in January 2024, attended by notable figures including Governor Sanwo-Olu, had previously sought a court injunction to prevent her arrest or investigation by the EFCC. However, on February 19, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja vacated the injunction, ruling that no court could impede the EFCC’s investigative powers when there is reasonable suspicion of a crime. The court also upheld an interim order for the forfeiture of assets suspected to be proceeds of crime.
In a recent hearing, Achimugu’s counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), informed the court that the businesswoman would return to Nigeria on April 29, prompting Justice Ekwo to schedule her EFCC appearance for the day prior. The judge’s directive follows a series of legal proceedings, including an April 11 order for the EFCC and five other security agencies, Nigeria Police Force, ICPC, DSS, NSCDC, and Nigerian Immigration Service, to file their defense in Achimugu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit, which seeks to stop her arrest and alleged harassment. None of the respondents appeared or filed a defense despite being served, leading to the adjournment of the case to April 28.
The EFCC’s investigation has sparked controversy, with groups like the Coalition for Accountability and Good Governance alleging political motives and unlawful actions, including a midnight raid on Achimugu’s Abuja residence that reportedly harassed her 80-year-old mother. The Committee for the Defence of Womanhood also condemned the EFCC’s approach, describing it as a “betrayal of womanhood” and a threat to Nigeria’s justice system.
Achimugu’s legal team has maintained that she cooperated with the EFCC, citing her brief return to Nigeria on March 8 to retrieve medical documents and attempts to reschedule the EFCC meeting for April 28 or 29. However, the agency declared her wanted after an official disputed her travel claims via WhatsApp on March 11.
As the case is unfolds, Achimugu’s appearance before the EFCC on Tuesday is expected to shed light on the allegations, which reportedly involve 136 bank accounts linked to her and her companies, as well as a $5 million oil block deal allegedly facilitated by Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
The public and advocacy groups await further developments in this case, thus raising questions about due process, investor confidence, and the EFCC’s handling of high-profile investigations.