The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
EFCC officials picked up Achimugu around 5 a.m. on Tuesday shortly after she arrived from London. The anti-corruption agency had declared her wanted in March for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered her on Monday to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday and to appear in court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
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Her lawyer, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, confirmed the arrest. “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday,” he told reporters.
Ojukwu criticised the arrest, saying it violated the court’s order. “My client returned to Nigeria based on the court’s instruction to honour the EFCC’s invitation, but she was arrested at the airport,” he said.
He added that Achimugu had started a hunger strike to protest what she sees as a violation of her rights. “She is a prisoner of conscience,” he said.
An EFCC source, who asked not to be named, confirmed the arrest. The official said, “We declared her wanted, and we could not let her walk freely. The court said she should appear before us today, but did not stop us from arresting her.”
The source added, “Now that she is in the country, we will make sure she appears as ordered.”
Recall, Achimugu was declared wanted by the EFCC in March on the allegations of money laundering. An online publication had alleged that Achimugu Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu used Achimugu to send funds to aid Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign.