Mathew Amaechi
In a turn of events this morning, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested renowned businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Achimugu, who had been declared wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering since March, was detained shortly after her arrival from London.
According to reports, Achimugu landed at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, only to be taken into custody by EFCC operatives. The arrest followed a directive from the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice I.E. Ekwo had ordered Achimugu to voluntarily appear before the commission on Tuesday and later again on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
In a statement to our correspondent, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, Achimugu’s lawyer, confirmed the arrest and criticized the EFCC’s actions. “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday,” Ojukwu said. He added that the attorney had arranged for her return following the court’s undertaking, making the detention a clear violation of the judicial order.
Ojukwu emphatically described the arrest as a breach of his client’s fundamental rights, noting that Achimugu had even commenced a hunger strike to protest what he termed “a violation of her basic human freedoms” and labeled his client as a prisoner of conscience.
An unnamed official from the EFCC provided insight into the commission’s perspective, stating, “We had earlier declared her wanted and we can’t allow her to continue to walk freely. The court ordered her to appear before us today and, faced with uncertainty as to whether she would comply, we took the necessary steps to secure her presence.”
At the time of filing this report, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale had yet to issue a formal comment on the unfolding events.The development has sparked a flurry of reactions both in the legal circles and among civil rights advocates who are closely monitoring the case.
While the EFCC maintains that the action was in line with court orders, Achimugu’s legal team is expected to challenge the arrest in court, arguing that her rights were infringed upon despite her willingness to comply with judicial directives.
