Aisha Achimugu, a person of interest in a money laundering investigation and reportedly linked to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency confirmed the arrest, which took place at the airport in Abuja on Tuesday. This development follows a Federal High Court order issued on Monday by Justice I.E. Ekwo, compelling Ms. Achimugu to appear before the EFCC for questioning and before the court on Wednesday. The order arose from a deepening investigation into alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Ms. Achimugu had previously filed a suit against several law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, challenging their actions. However, the court ruling mandated her appearance.
The EFCC had declared Ms. Achimugu wanted a month prior to her arrest in connection with the ongoing investigation. Reports from Peoples Gazette had alleged that Governor Sanwo-Olu, through Ms. Achimugu, purportedly channeled public funds to prominent opposition figures Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.
During Monday’s court proceedings, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho informed the court that a counter-affidavit filed by investigator Chris Odofin detailed the reasons for Ms. Achimugu’s invitation.
The EFCC stated that Ms. Achimugu initially cooperated with their investigation on February 12, 2024, providing a written statement and subsequently being granted administrative bail. However, the agency claims she failed to reappear as agreed, opting instead to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
In her legal application, Ms. Achimugu described the inflow of N8.71 billion into her company’s accounts as “investment funds” for an oil block acquisition. She further asserted that these funds were transferred to the Federal Government through her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, citing documentation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
However, the EFCC’s counter-affidavit revealed that their investigation indicated Ms. Achimugu’s company acquired two oil blocks for $25.3 million, with payments allegedly made in cash through bureau de change operators. The agency stated that the original sources of these funds could not be traced to any legitimate business activities or partnerships.
The EFCC further argued that Ms. Achimugu’s recent lawsuit was a deliberate attempt to obstruct their ongoing investigation, especially considering a prior court ruling that dismissed her claims of fundamental rights violations. The agency also disclosed that Ms. Achimugu operates an extensive network of one hundred and thirty-six bank accounts across ten different banks, held both personally and under her corporate entities.
The case is scheduled to proceed in court on Wednesday.
