The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday ordered businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to appear before it on Wednesday in connection with an ongoing inquiry involving her.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the directive after directing Achimugu to report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday and then appear in court on Wednesday alongside EFCC personnel.
The ruling followed an application filed by Achimugu’s counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), to prevent the EFCC from detaining or harassing her while she was complying with their investigative invitation.
On April 11, Justice Nwite asked the EFCC and five other security agencies to file their defences in Achimugu’s fundamental rights enforcement petition. She is looking for protection from arrest and detention.
The security services listed in the complaint include the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
On April 3, Achimugu, an industrialist, filed an ex parte motion with the docket number FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, citing the agencies as first through sixth respondents.
The EFCC claims that Achimugu, through her company Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, purchased two oil blocks with cash that cannot be traced back to lawful profits and that corrupt actions corrupted the acquisition process. The investigation is ongoing.
In response, Achimugu requested temporary relief prohibiting the agencies from harassing, detaining, or violating her rights to freedom of movement, liberty, privacy, and property. She further claimed that the EFCC’s pronouncement of “wanted” on March 28 was unjustified and detrimental to her reputation and professional standing.
At Monday’s hearing, Ogunwumiju informed the court that Achimugu would return to Nigeria on Tuesday and report to the EFCC at noon.
He requested the court to safeguard her from harassment, particularly given her role as the mother of a child with special needs.
Ekele Iheanacho, EFCC counsel, opposed the application, claiming that it was speculative and that Achimugu had previously violated administrative bail conditions by failing to attend invitations.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite directed the EFCC to continue its investigation while ensuring Achimugu’s appearance in court the following day.
“The applicant shall appear before the 4th respondent (EFCC) on April 29, 2025, as outlined in her affidavit. Upon her appearance, the respondent shall return with the applicant to this court on April 30, 2025, to report on the proceedings,” the judge ruled.
Representatives from the ICPC, DSS, EFCC, and NIS were present at the court session on Monday.
