The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours.
The ruling was issued on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, by Justice Inyang Ekwo following a brief hearing on the ongoing legal battle between Achimugu and the anti-corruption agency.
Justice Ekwo, while delivering his ruling, stated, “The third respondent is hereby ordered to foster the release of the applicant within 24 hours of this order.”
He also instructed all involved parties, particularly the EFCC, to return to court on May 2, 2025, with a report on their compliance with the directive.
On March 28, 2025, the EFCC declared Achimugu wanted over allegations of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and illegal acquisition of assets.
She had earlier been granted administrative bail after an initial arrest but was accused of violating the terms of her release, prompting the commission to issue a public notice seeking her whereabouts.
Achimugu, in response, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against several security agencies including the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services, among others.
In her application, she sought protection from further arrests or harassment, claiming that the declaration branding her as wanted was baseless and had tarnished her image.
In court documents, the EFCC explained that Achimugu is under investigation for the suspicious acquisition of two oil blocks, allegedly valued at over $25 million. The funds used for the transactions, the EFCC claimed, could not be traced to any legal income or business operations.
According to the commission, Achimugu acquired the oil blocks—PPL 3007 (Shallow Water) and PPL 302-DO (Deep Offshore)—through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited.
The payment, investigators say, was largely done in cash through Bureau De Change operators who later forwarded the money to the government’s accounts. The EFCC also noted that bribes were allegedly paid to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission during the acquisition process.
EFCC’s affidavit also revealed that Achimugu manages over 130 bank accounts in her name and in the name of her companies across multiple banks in Nigeria. They argued that such financial activities raised serious questions about the legitimacy of her transactions.
Despite her legal team filing multiple motions and seeking injunctions, the court previously ordered Achimugu to appear before the EFCC for questioning. She complied and was later taken into custody at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday morning, April 29, 2025.
During Wednesday’s resumed court session, her lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, informed the court that they had filed an affidavit of facts that morning.
Justice Ekwo, after listening to both sides, ruled in favor of her temporary release, noting that since the EFCC had already granted her bail, the court must ensure her liberty is respected pending further legal processes.
