The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The PUNCH correspondent gathered that Achimugu was arrested around 5am shortly after her return from London.
Achimugu had been declared wanted in March by the EFCC over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo had ordered her to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday, and also to appear before the court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Her lawyer, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, confirmed her arrest in a message to our correspondent, saying, “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.”
Ojukwu criticised the EFCC’s action, describing it as a violation of a court order.
“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,” he said.
He further disclosed that Achimugu had commenced a hunger strike to protest what he termed a breach of her fundamental rights.
“She is a prisoner of conscience,” Ojukwu said.
An authoritative source within the EFCC who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue confirmed the arrest to our correspondent saying, “We had earlier declared her wanted and we can’t allow her to continue to walk freely. Secondly, the court said she must appear before us today. We were not restricted from arresting her; what the court said was if she comes, she should not be detained.
“How are you sure she would appear before us today? Now that we have seen her, we have a course to ensure she appears.”
As of the time of filing this report, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, had yet to respond to calls and messages seeking comment on the development.
