BREAKING: EFCC arrests Aisha Achimugu at Abuja airport

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a prominent Nigerian businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.

The arrest took place early Tuesday April 29, 2025, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

EFCC operatives picked her up at about 5:00 a.m. as she arrived from London.

Achimugu returned to the country voluntarily to meet with the EFCC as directed by the Federal High Court.

Her legal team issued a statement on Tuesday confirming her arrest.

They stated that their client had already informed the court of her plan to honour the EFCC’s invitation.

The lawyers added that Achimugu returned in good faith and was prepared to cooperate with investigators.

Recall that Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), reported on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered her to appear before the EFCC on April 29, 2025.

The court also instructed that she must be physically present for proceedings on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

The EFCC is investigating Achimugu over alleged financial crimes.

The allegations include conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering, and corruption.

The Commission claims that Achimugu received over N8.71 billion into her company’s accounts.

She reportedly explained the funds as investment capital for oil block acquisition.

According to her, the money was used to pay the Federal Government for oil blocks through her firm, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited.

She cited documentation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

However, EFCC investigations found irregularities.

They revealed that her firm acquired Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO at a cost of $25.3 million.

The funds were allegedly paid in cash through bureau de change operators.

EFCC said the source of the cash remains suspicious and untraceable to any legitimate business.

The Commission also stated that the oil blocks have not commenced production or exploration.

Further investigations uncovered that Achimugu operates 136 bank accounts in her name and that of her companies.

The EFCC had earlier accused her of filing a lawsuit to obstruct its investigation.

That suit was dismissed by the court under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024.

Achimugu is expected to remain in EFCC custody for further questioning.

She will appear in court on Wednesday for the continuation of the case.

Security was reportedly tightened around EFCC headquarters as she was taken in

More details are expected as the case unfolds.

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