The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday brought prominent businesswoman, Mrs. Aisha Achimugu, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, following her arrest a day earlier upon arrival in the country.
Achimugu, who was declared wanted by the EFCC in March over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy and large-scale money laundering, was taken into custody at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday. She had just returned from London, and it was gathered that her return to the country was voluntary.
The embattled entrepreneur was escorted to the court premises at about 11:35 a.m. on Wednesday by two female EFCC officers, in compliance with an earlier court directive. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Monday ordered that Mrs. Achimugu report to the EFCC on Tuesday, April 29, and further directed her to appear before the court the following day, April 30.
Confirming the development, her legal counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), expressed concern over the manner of the arrest. He maintained that Mrs. Achimugu had willingly returned to Nigeria to honour the EFCC’s invitation and noted that the commission’s decision to detain her contradicted the court’s instruction for a voluntary appearance.
“She was arrested upon arrival, despite a subsisting court order which clearly outlined the procedure for her appearance before the EFCC and subsequently before the court. This action by the commission undermines the rule of law,” Chief Ojukwu stated in a brief chat with our correspondent.
Achimugu’s arrest and subsequent arraignment are part of an ongoing investigation by the EFCC into high-profile financial crimes. The case has drawn significant public interest given the scale of the allegations and her business stature.
As of the time of filing this report, proceedings in the court were ongoing, with expectations high over the EFCC’s next steps and the position the court will take in the unfolding matter.
