The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours.
Prompt News reports that the directive was issued on Wednesday by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo instructed all parties involved, particularly the EFCC, to appear in court on May 2, 2025, to report on compliance with the court’s order.
Earlier this week, the court had directed Achimugu to submit herself to the EFCC as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering and related offenses.
She complied and was taken into custody after her arrest at 5 a.m. on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The EFCC is investigating Achimugu for alleged criminal conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses, money laundering, corruption, and unlawful possession of assets.
Though she was previously arrested and released on administrative bail, the commission later declared her wanted, alleging she had jumped bail.
In a press statement, the EFCC called on the public to provide information on her whereabouts.
The agency claimed that Achimugu, during a prior appearance at its office in February 2024, admitted that N8.71 billion was transferred through her corporate accounts as investment funds for acquiring an oil block.
Investigators allege that through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, Achimugu acquired two oil blocks—PPL 3007 (Shallow Water) and PPL 302-DO (Deep Offshore)—for $25.3 million, using mainly cash transactions through Bureau De Change operators.
The EFCC contends that the origin of the funds used could not be traced to any legitimate source or business partner.
Additionally, the agency claims the oil block acquisitions involved bribery of officials at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and that the blocks have remained inactive since allocation.
The EFCC also revealed that Achimugu reportedly operates 136 bank accounts across ten banks, in both personal and corporate capacities. The investigation remains ongoing.
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