By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ALLEGATIONS OF high-level financial misconduct surrounding a $25 million oil block deal and the operation of 136 bank accounts prompted the arrest of a Nigerian businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday morning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) nabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group shortly after she arrived from London, deepening an investigation that has spanned months and stirred legal controversy.
Her apprehension followed ongoing investigations into alleged money laundering and corruption.
The arrest came less than 24 hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja directed her to report to the anti-graft agency.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered her appearance before the EFCC on Tuesday, 29 April, and in court the following day as part of proceedings in a suit she filed against multiple law enforcement bodies, including the EFCC.
Achimugu had previously been declared wanted by the Commission on 28 March, accused of criminal conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, laundering illicit funds, and acquiring property suspected to be linked to unlawful activity.
Her lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), confirmed her arrest, criticising the EFCC’s action as a breach of the court’s directives and revealing that she had commenced a hunger strike in protest.
Court documents reveal that Achimugu initially honoured an EFCC invitation on 12 February, providing a written statement through her counsel and surety, Darlington Ozurumba, before being granted administrative bail.
However, she allegedly failed to return for further questioning, instead filing a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, ICPC, DSS, NSCDC, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
In response, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho presented a counter-affidavit from an investigator, Chris Odofin, detailing the Commission’s claims.
According to the filing, Achimugu’s company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, received N8.71 billion into its corporate accounts—purportedly investment capital for the acquisition of oil blocks.
She claimed the funds were legally channelled to the Federal Government for an oil licensing deal, citing documentation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Further investigations revealed that two oil blocks—Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO—were acquired for $25.3 million.
The EFCC alleges the payments were made in cash via bureau de change operators, with no credible link to legitimate business earnings or partners.
The process was allegedly tainted by bribery involving regulatory officials, and the acquired oil blocks had not entered production as of the time of filing.
The Commission also noted that Achimugu’s operations span an extensive financial network, involving 136 bank accounts across ten banks in both her personal and corporate identities.
It argued that her ongoing legal actions are a strategic attempt to derail the investigation—one previously dismissed by the Federal High Court in an earlier ruling, suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024.
Despite arguments from her legal team citing medical treatment abroad and political harassment, the court ruled on Monday that Achimugu must comply with the EFCC’s invitation and that the Commission must produce her in court on 30 April to confirm cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, Aisha Achimugu has declared a hunger strike while in the custody of the EFCC, hours after her arrest at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport early Tuesday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), human rights advocate Mr. Ojukwu said Ms Achimugu had earlier notified the Federal High Court in Abuja of her intention to honour the EFCC’s invitation on the same day.
“She has immediately gone on a hunger strike. She is a prisoner of conscience and our position is that her arrest contradicts the rule of law,” Ojukwu stated.
Efforts by NAN to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale were unsuccessful, as calls placed to his mobile phone went unanswered.
Ojukwu described Ms Achimugu as a respected business magnate, noting that her Felak Concept Group is a multi-sector consortium with interests in engineering, maritime, oil and gas, and information technology.
The matter is set to resume on Wednesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
