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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, a business executive and socialite who had been declared wanted in March 2025 for alleged money laundering and fraud.
She was picked up at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja around 5 AM on Tuesday, upon her arrival from London.
Earlier, on Monday, Achimugu’s lawyer Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, had informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that his client, as stated in her court documents, would “visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.”
Following the arrest, Mr. Ojukwu, stated that “in light of what transpired in court on Monday, my client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honour r the EFCC’s invitation, but was ‘arrested’ at the airport.”
The senior lawyer further alleged, “She has immediately gone on a hunger strike. She is a prisoner of conscience,” insisting that “the development runs contrary to the rule of law.”
Responding to the development, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Achimugu “was expected to appear at the Commission today in line with court developments.”
Regarding the lawyer’s assertion of an airport arrest, the EFCC spokesman indicated that he “would respond in due course.”
Recall that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had previously ordered Aisha Achimugu to “appear before the EFCC on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to answer questions regarding an ongoing investigation.”
The EFCC’s investigation into Dr. Aisha Achimugu Sulaiman involves allegations of “conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering, corruption, and possession of unlawfully obtained properties.”
The probe also extends to Maxwell Chizi Odum and MBA Trading and Capital Limited, suggesting a complex financial network under scrutiny by the anti-graft agency.
According to court documents, it is asserted that Achimugu, through her network of companies, is suspected of acquiring, possessing and disguising the origin and purpose of proceeds of the illegal activities, which include “obtaining Money by False pretence, carrying on banking business without appropriate licence, carrying on investment business without appropriate licence and money laundering.”