The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, shortly after her arrival from London.
Sources confirmed to our correspondent that Achimugu was taken into custody at approximately 5:00 a.m.
She had been declared wanted by the EFCC in March over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
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Her arrest came just one day after the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo, ordered her to report to the EFCC on Tuesday and appear before the court on Wednesday, 30 April 2025.
Achimugu’s lawyer, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, confirmed the arrest in a message to our correspondent.
“Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday,” he said.
Ojukwu criticised the EFCC’s action, stating that it contravened the court’s directive.
“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 also revealed that Achimugu had begun a hunger strike in protest, describing her as “a prisoner of conscience” and alleging a violation of her fundamental rights.
A senior EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrest, explaining that the Commission acted within its rights.
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“We had earlier declared her wanted and we can’t allow her to continue to walk freely,” the official said. “The court said she must appear before us today. It did not bar us from arresting her; it only stated she should not be detained if she comes. How could we be certain she would have appeared? Now that she’s here, we have a duty to ensure she does.”
As of the time of filing this report, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale had not responded to requests for comment.
