The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested prominent businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Tuesday.
Achimugu, who had been declared wanted by the EFCC in March over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, was apprehended shortly after returning from London at around 5 a.m., according to sources familiar with the situation.
Her arrest comes just a day after Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered her to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday and also to appear before the court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Her lawyer, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, confirmed her arrest in a message to the press, stating: “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.”
Ojukwu condemned the arrest, calling it a violation of the court’s directive, and explained that his client returned to the country in good faith to comply with the court’s instructions.
“In light of what transpired in court on Monday, my client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honour the EFCC’s invitation, but was arrested at the airport,” he said.
He further revealed that Achimugu had commenced a hunger strike in protest, claiming her rights had been breached.
“She is a prisoner of conscience,” he asserted.
However, an EFCC official, who requested anonymity, defended the commission’s action, stating that there was no legal restriction against her arrest.
“We had earlier declared her wanted and we can’t allow her to continue to walk freely. Secondly, the court said she must appear before us today. We were not restricted from arresting her; what the court said was if she comes, she should not be detained,” the official stated.
“How are you sure she would appear before us today? Now that we have seen her, we have a course to ensure she appears.”
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, had not responded to calls or messages requesting official comment on the matter.
