The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release prominent Nigerian businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu, within 24 hours.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, delivering a ruling on Wednesday, also instructed that all parties involved — especially the EFCC — must return to court on May 2, 2025, to confirm compliance with the court order.

This development follows an earlier order on Monday by Justice Ekwo, compelling Achimugu to appear before the EFCC over an ongoing high-profile investigation involving money laundering, corruption, and criminal conspiracy.

Aisha Achimugu Arrested at Abuja Airport

Achimugu was arrested at about 5 a.m. on Tuesday by EFCC operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The commission had earlier declared her wanted for allegedly jumping administrative bail in a case involving fraud, financial crimes, and unlawful acquisition of oil blocks.

The EFCC disclosed that Achimugu is being investigated for conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and laundering over N8.7 billion. The funds were allegedly used to acquire oil blocks — PPL 3007 (Shallow Water) and PPL 302-DO (Deep Offshore) — through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited.

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According to EFCC’s affidavit, over $25.3 million in cash payments — traced through Bureau De Change operators — were used for the oil bloc acquisition, with no evidence of legal income sources or transparency in the transactions.

EFCC Alleges Corruption in Oil Bloc Deal

The EFCC further claimed that bribes were paid to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to secure the oil bloc allocations. It also stated that despite the multi-billion naira investments, no oil exploration or production has commenced on the blocks to date.

Investigations also revealed that Achimugu allegedly operates 136 personal and corporate bank accounts across 10 Nigerian banks.

Achimugu Fights Back with Fundamental Rights Suit

In response, Achimugu filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, the ICPC, the NSCDC, and the Nigerian Immigration Service. She argued that declaring her wanted was unlawful, unjustified, and damaging to her reputation.

Her ex parte application (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025) sought an interim injunction to stop any arrest, detention, or harassment. Her lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), told the court that the respondents ignored court orders and failed to appear.

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Court Gives EFCC Final Deadline

At the resumed hearing, Justice Ekwo acknowledged that EFCC had granted her bail and ruled:

“The third respondent (EFCC) is hereby ordered to release the applicant within 24 hours of this order. All parties, especially the EFCC, must return to this court on May 2, 2025, to report compliance.”

The matter has been adjourned to May 2 for further proceedings.

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