The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested billionaire businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu.
She was arrested by EFCC operatives at about 5 a.m., at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
EFCC had accused Achimugu of acquiring two oil blocs for $25.6 million via bureau de change operators in the country.
“Investigations showed that the payments were allegedly made in cash via bureau de change operators and that the ultimate sources of the funds could not be traced to any legitimate business income or partnerships,” the anti-graft agency said.
The EFCC had in March declared Achimugu wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Meanwhile, the socialite has declared “hunger strike” in EFCC custody following her arrest by operatives of the commission.
A statement by the legal team of Achimugu, led by Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, on Tuesday in Abuja said that their client Ojukwu said that their client had arrived voluntarily from London to honour the EFCC invitation before her arrest by operatives of the commission.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo, had on Monday ordered Achimugu to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday, and to also, appear before the court on Wednesday.
Ojukwu said that the socialite had through her lawyer informed the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday that she would visit the EFCC on Tuesday.
He explained that the planned visit was in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering brought against her.
”In the light of what transpired in court on Monday, our client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honor the EFCC’s invitation, but was arrested at the airport.
”She has immediately gone on a hunger strike. She is a prisoner of conscience and our stand in the arrest is that it has run contrary to the rule of law,” he said.
Ojukwu said that Achimugu was a well-known business magnate and the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group, a consortium comprising several companies in engineering, maritime, oil and gas, and information technology.
The Star
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