The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Nigerian businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after her return from the United Kingdom.
Achimugu, who had been declared wanted in March 2025 over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, was apprehended around 5am on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Her arrest followed a Federal High Court directive ordering her to honour the EFCC’s invitation. Justice I.E. Ekwo, in a ruling delivered on Monday, April 28, had also mandated her appearance in court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in a suit she filed against multiple security agencies, including the EFCC.
Despite the court’s order, Achimugu’s lawyer, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), described the arrest as a violation of her rights, stating that she had returned voluntarily and in compliance with the court’s directive. Ojukwu noted that Achimugu had begun a hunger strike in protest against her detention.
However, EFCC officials defended the move, stating that the arrest was lawful and necessary due to her earlier failure to honour bail conditions and subsequent legal action against the Commission. “We were not restricted from arresting her; the court only said she should not be detained if she came in. We had to ensure she appeared,” said an EFCC source.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale revealed that Achimugu had initially responded to the Commission’s invitation on February 12, 2024, made a written statement, and was granted administrative bail. However, she allegedly defaulted on the terms and instead filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
Achimugu is the widow of the late Suleiman Achimugu, former Managing Director of the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).
