NIGERIA: EFCC Arrests Businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at Abuja Airport

By Amenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested prominent business executive and socialite, Aisha Achimugu, after she was declared wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Achimugu was apprehended by EFCC operatives around 5 a.m. on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from London. Her arrest comes a day after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo, ordered her to present herself before the anti-graft agency on Tuesday, April 29, and appear in court the following day.

Confirming the arrest, her legal counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, stated that Achimugu returned voluntarily to Nigeria in compliance with the court’s directive. He, however, criticised the EFCC’s action, saying it violated the court’s order, which stipulated that she should not be detained upon her arrival.

Ojukwu said: “In light of what transpired in court on Monday, my client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honour the EFCC’s invitation, but was arrested at the airport.”

The lawyer further revealed that Achimugu had begun a hunger strike to protest what he described as a breach of her fundamental rights.

“She is a prisoner of conscience,” he added..

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale is yet to issue more details regarding the issue.