In a dramatic turn of events, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release embattled businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours.
Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the ruling in a brief court session, emphasizing that all parties, especially the EFCC, must return to court on May 2, 2025, to report full compliance with the order.
The directive follows Justice Ekwo’s earlier ruling on Monday mandating Achimugu to appear before the EFCC in connection with ongoing investigations into a multi-billion-naira money laundering case. She was also expected to return alongside EFCC officials to court on April 30 for an update — an appearance that culminated in today’s release order.
Achimugu was arrested by EFCC operatives at around 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The commission is probing her over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, corruption, and the acquisition of assets allegedly linked to illicit funds.
While Achimugu had previously been granted administrative bail, the EFCC claimed she jumped bail, subsequently declaring her wanted and appealing to the public for information on her whereabouts.
Court documents reveal that during a prior arrest on February 12, 2024, Achimugu, in the presence of her lawyer, admitted that N8.71 billion was paid into her corporate accounts by business partners. The funds were allegedly used to acquire oil blocs — Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO — for $25.3 million via cash transactions routed through Bureau De Change operators.
However, EFCC investigators claim that the origin of these funds could not be linked to any legitimate earnings or credible business sources. The agency further alleged that bribes were paid to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to secure the deals and that no oil exploration or production has commenced from the blocs since their acquisition.
The EFCC disclosed that Achimugu controls a staggering 136 bank accounts across ten different Nigerian banks, in both personal and corporate capacities.
As investigations deepen, the court’s firm stance signals growing judicial oversight over anti-corruption operations in high-profile cases. The next hearing on May 2 is expected to shed more light on the unfolding financial scandal.
