By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ALLEGATIONS OF money laundering, asset concealment, and billion-naira oil bloc deals have escalated into a fierce legal showdown, with the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release detained businesswoman Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours.
A dramatic turn eventually unfolded on Wednesday as Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the EFCC to free Achimugu—founder and CEO of Felak Concept Group—who was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport barely 24 hours earlier.
Escorted into court by two EFCC officers, her appearance followed the judge’s directive earlier in the week that she report to the anti-graft agency and return for formal proceedings.
The EFCC had declared her wanted in March for alleged offences including criminal conspiracy, corruption, and money laundering. Justice Ekwo’s latest order compels the EFCC to execute her release immediately and return to court on 2 May to report compliance. 
At the heart of the commission’s case is an intricate web of alleged financial misconduct.
According to the EFCC, Achimugu received ₦8.71 billion into corporate accounts from partners who claimed it was investment capital.
The funds, investigators say, were channelled into the acquisition of two oil blocs—PPL 3007 and PPL 302-DO—via Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited.
The acquisition, worth $25.3 million, was allegedly executed through Bureau De Change operators with questionable cash payments, and the commission maintains the money cannot be traced to lawful income or legitimate business activities.
It further claims that bribes were paid to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and that no production has commenced on either bloc.
The commission also revealed that Achimugu operates 136 bank accounts across ten financial institutions, intensifying suspicions over the scale and structure of the transactions.
In a separate but connected legal action, Achimugu filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against multiple federal agencies, including the EFCC, seeking protection from alleged harassment and unlawful detention.
She argued her March 28 public declaration as “wanted” was unjustified, defamatory, and aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
Her lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, informed the court that the EFCC and other respondents had been served but failed to respond or appear.
The judge adjourned that matter to 2 May, granting one final opportunity for the agencies to show cause.
Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo ruled that since the EFCC had technically granted her bail, the agency must now conclude the process.
“The third respondent is hereby ordered to foster the release of the applicant within 24 hours of this order,” he ruled.
Following the court’s decision, Achimugu released a statement reaffirming her commitment to integrity and justice.
“This moment has renewed my faith in Nigeria’s justice system,” she said. “I am determined to remain a progressive advocate for transparency… this is just the start of my journey to restore my name and reputation.”
While the order signals a significant legal win for Achimugu, the EFCC’s investigation is far from over. Further hearings and compliance reports are scheduled for early May as both sides brace for the next phase in a legal battle drawing nationwide attention.
