Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of financial misconduct.
The court further directed Achimugu to appear before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as proceedings continue in the case.
The development stems from a suit filed by Achimugu against several security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the EFCC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Responding to the suit, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho presented a counter-affidavit sworn by an investigator, Chris Odofin. The affidavit detailed serious allegations against Achimugu, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering, corruption, and the possession of suspected unlawfully acquired properties.
According to the EFCC, Achimugu initially honored an invitation on February 12, 2024, providing a written statement before being granted administrative bail. However, she allegedly defaulted on subsequent reporting obligations and instead initiated a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Commission.
Investigations by the EFCC revealed that N8.71 billion flowed into accounts linked to Achimugu’s company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, purportedly for the acquisition of an oil block. Achimugu claimed the funds were remitted to the Federal Government, citing documentation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
However, the EFCC’s findings indicated that Achimugu’s company acquired two oil blocks — Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO — at a cost of $25.3 million, with payments allegedly made through bureau de change operators. The sources of the funds, according to the Commission, could not be traced to legitimate business activities.
The EFCC further alleged that the acquisition process was marred by corruption and that neither oil block had commenced exploration or production activities.
Additionally, investigators uncovered that Achimugu maintained 136 bank accounts across 10 different banks, in both her personal and corporate names.
The Commission accused Achimugu of attempting to obstruct its investigation through the latest court action, despite a previous dismissal of her fundamental rights claim in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024.
Achimugu is mandated to report to the EFCC on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, ahead of the continuation of court proceedings the following day.
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