Money Laundering Investigation: Court Orders Aisha Achimugu to Honour EFCC Invitation
Money Laundering Investigation: Court Orders Aisha Achimugu to Honour EFCC Invitation On April 28, 2025, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Aisha Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 29, 2025, to address questions tied to an ongoing investigation.
The court further directed her to appear in court on April 30, 2025. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Achimugu against multiple agencies, including the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, ICPC, DSS, NSCDC, and Nigeria Immigration Service.
EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, presented a counter-affidavit by investigator Chris Odofin, detailing allegations against Achimugu, including conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, corruption, and possession of illegally acquired property.
Odofin’s affidavit revealed that Achimugu initially cooperated with the EFCC on February 12, 2024, providing a statement and securing administrative bail through her lawyer, Darlington N. Ozurumba. However, she allegedly failed to honor subsequent invitations, instead filing a fundamental rights suit against the EFCC. Achimugu claimed that N8.71 billion in her company’s accounts was an “investment fund” for an oil block, transferred to the government via her firm, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, with documentation from the NUPRC.
Further scrutiny showed her company acquired two oil blocks—Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO—for $25.3 million, allegedly paid in cash through bureau de change operators.
The EFCC found no traceable legitimate source for these funds and alleged corruption in the acquisition process. Neither oil block has begun exploration or production.
The EFCC described Achimugu’s lawsuit as an attempt to derail the investigation, noting that a prior suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024) claiming rights violations was dismissed. The agency has since expanded its probe, issuing inquiries to banks, the Corporate Affairs Commission, FIRS, land authorities, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Achimugu reportedly operates 136 bank accounts across ten banks under personal and corporate names. The case is set to continue on April 30, 2025, with Achimugu expected to report to the EFCC as ordered.
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