Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered Aisha Achimugu to present herself before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Additionally, the judge directed that she must appear before the court the following day, Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
The order was issued during a ruling on Monday, April 28, 2025, relating to a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, filed by Achimugu against several law enforcement agencies.
These include the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the EFCC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Responding to Achimugu’s application, EFCC Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court about a counter-affidavit submitted by one of its investigators, Chris Odofin, detailing the circumstances behind Achimugu’s invitation.
In the affidavit, Odofin revealed that Achimugu is being investigated for alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, corruption, and ownership of properties reasonably suspected to have been acquired illegally.
The affidavit disclosed that Achimugu initially honoured the EFCC’s invitation on February 12, 2024, made a written statement, and was granted administrative bail through her lawyer and surety, Darlington N. Ozurumba.
However, it stated that she subsequently failed to report back as agreed and instead filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Commission.
According to the affidavit, Achimugu, in her statement, described the N8.71 billion inflow into her company accounts as an “investment fund” for the acquisition of an oil block.
She explained that the money was transferred into the Federal Government’s account via her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, referencing documentation issued by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Nevertheless, the EFCC’s investigation revealed that Achimugu’s company had acquired two oil blocks—Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO—at a combined cost of $25.3 million.
Investigators discovered that the payments were allegedly made in cash through bureau de change operators, and that the sources of these funds could not be linked to any legitimate business activities.
The EFCC further alleged that the acquisition process was riddled with corruption, and that neither of the two oil blocks had begun exploration or production at the time of investigation.
The anti-graft agency insisted that Achimugu’s current lawsuit was merely “a calculated attempt to frustrate the ongoing investigation,” even though an earlier suit—FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024—had already dismissed her claim of fundamental rights violations.
Following the dismissal of that suit, the EFCC continued its investigation by sending inquiry letters to banks, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), land authorities, the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
As some responses came in, investigators analyzed the data while awaiting additional information.
The affidavit further indicated that Achimugu operates a total of one hundred and thirty-six (136) bank accounts across ten banks, both in her personal name and those of her companies.
The matter is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with Achimugu expected to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday, as ordered by the court.
