On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Nigerian businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The arrest took place in the early hours of the morning, around 5 a.m., shortly after Achimugu arrived in the country on a flight from London. The EFCC had previously declared her wanted in March over serious allegations involving criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Her apprehension follows a ruling issued less than 24 hours earlier by the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo. The court had ordered Achimugu to present herself before the EFCC on Tuesday and instructed the agency to ensure she was brought before the court the following day, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The ruling underscored the urgency of the legal proceedings and signaled the court’s active involvement in compelling compliance with ongoing investigations.
While EFCC officials have not released an official statement regarding the circumstances of the arrest, reactions have begun to emerge, particularly from Achimugu’s legal team. Her lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), issued a strongly worded statement condemning the EFCC’s action. He emphasized that his client returned to Nigeria of her own accord and was not fleeing from the law. According to him, Achimugu’s voluntary return should have been seen as a sign of cooperation, rather than leading to her immediate arrest. Ojukwu also revealed that following her detention, Achimugu had commenced a hunger strike in protest, and he described her as a “prisoner of conscience.”
The arrest has stirred public interest, especially considering the high-profile nature of the allegations and the EFCC’s ongoing scrutiny of public figures and private businesspersons linked to financial misconduct. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the court proceedings scheduled for April 30, where more details may emerge about the charges against Achimugu and the legal strategy her defense team plans to pursue.
