The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arrested businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to our correspondent, Achimugu was arrested about 5 a.m., immediately after returning from London.
The EFCC designated Achimugu wanted in March following allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo, ordered her to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday as well as Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Her attorney, 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 condemned 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 also 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.
A source within the Commission who spoke on the condition of anonymity 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.”
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, had yet to comment on the arrest at the time of filing this report.
