Businesswoman and oil mogul, Mrs. Aisha Achimugu, is set to appear in a Federal High Court in Abuja today, facing serious charges including criminal conspiracy and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigating her for several months, and her court appearance is a crucial step in the ongoing legal battle.
Achimugu, who was arrested early on Tuesday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, had just returned from London. EFCC operatives apprehended her around 5 a.m., shortly after she landed in Nigeria. According to sources within the EFCC, her arrest followed a long investigation, and she was taken into custody shortly after landing.
Her lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu, confirmed her arrest and described it as unlawful, stating that it went against a recent court order. Ojukwu further clarified that Achimugu had voluntarily returned to Nigeria to meet the EFCC’s request for her presence, but she was detained by operatives despite following the necessary protocol.
The arrest sparked a brief confrontation at the airport, as Achimugu’s staff and some lawyers attempted to prevent the EFCC operatives from taking her into their custody. An airport worker who witnessed the event noted that the EFCC had been aware of her arrival and were prepared for the operation. “They were only focused on carrying out their operations, by ensuring the woman entered their waiting bus,” the worker said.
Achimugu is expected to be arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo, with allegations involving money laundering and possible links to criminal conspiracy. Her case first made headlines in late March 2025 when the EFCC declared her a wanted person. This declaration followed her failure to respond to several previous invitations by the commission.
On Monday, the court had ordered Achimugu to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. The case, which is being heard under the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police, ICPC, DSS, and the NSCDC, all of whom were named in a suit filed by Achimugu earlier this year. In the suit, she sought a court order to prevent her arrest, claiming the EFCC’s actions were unfounded and aimed at damaging her reputation.
Achimugu’s legal team has also made claims about her treatment while in EFCC custody. Ojukwu revealed that she had refused to eat as a protest against her detention, describing her as a “prisoner of conscience.” The lawyer further criticized the EFCC for not honoring the court’s directive and for making the arrest despite the legal proceedings.
EFCC officials, on the other hand, defend their actions, stating that they were following protocol after Achimugu had ignored multiple previous summons. One official explained that the agency’s decision to arrest her at the airport was based on concerns that she might not appear in court as ordered, stating, “If we leave her, we may find it very difficult to produce her in court.”
Aisha Achimugu, born on January 22, 1974, hails from Kogi State and has been a prominent figure in Nigeria’s oil, maritime, and consultancy industries. She is the Managing Director of Felak Concept Group, a consultancy firm involved in various sectors including health, equipment procurement, and capacity building. Achimugu is also known for her role in the development of a Deep Sea Port in South-South Nigeria, a major infrastructure project in the country.
Her business ventures and social media presence have made her a well-known figure, particularly after her lavish 50th birthday celebration in January 2024. The event, which took place in Grenada, was attended by high-profile figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and drew significant attention both for its scale and its guests.
