By Funmilayo Akinyemi
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested popular businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu.
She was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, at about 5 am on Tuesday, shortly after her return from London.
247nextnews.com reports that Achimugu had been declared wanted by the EFCC in March over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo, had on Monday ordered her to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday and before the court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Meanwhile, Achimugu’s lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, has confirmed her arrest, stating that his client was taken into custody despite voluntarily returning to the country and honoring the court’s undertaking.
Ojukwu who criticized the EFCC’s action, described it as a violation of a court order.
“Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
“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,” Ojukwu said.
He further disclosed that Achimugu had commenced a hunger strike to protest what he termed a breach of her fundamental rights.
“She is a prisoner of conscience,” Ojukwu added.
An EFCC source also confirmed the arrest, stating that the commission had declared Achimugu wanted and couldn’t allow her to remain at large.
The source also referenced the court order, saying that while the court instructed that Achimugu should not be detained if she appeared, the EFCC aimed to ensure her appearance.
The source said: “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.
“How are you sure she would appear before us today? Now that we have seen her, we have a course to ensure she appears.”
