EFCC Arrests Aisha Achimugu at Abuja Airport Over Alleged Money Laundering
Aisha Achimugu, the Managing Director and CEO of Felak Concept Group, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The arrest occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday following Achimugu’s return from London. Her lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, confirmed the arrest in a statement shared with TheCable, revealing that the businesswoman has since commenced a hunger strike in protest.
“She arrived voluntarily and was arrested by the EFCC. She has immediately gone on hunger strike,” Ojukwu said, drawing parallels between his client and global political figures. “Like Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, she is a prisoner of conscience. This phase will surely pass. Nigeria’s rule of law is at the precipice.”
The EFCC had declared Achimugu wanted on March 28 over allegations of money laundering. Her arrest comes just a day after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered her to appear before the anti-graft agency on April 30, following her legal request for an interim injunction to prevent her arrest.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who presided over the case, also instructed the EFCC to present her in court on Wednesday. During Monday’s proceedings, Achimugu’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, informed the court that she had planned to honour the EFCC’s invitation upon her return to Nigeria. He urged the court to allow her to continue on the same bail terms previously granted by the commission.
The EFCC, however, countered the application, arguing that Achimugu had violated the terms of her administrative bail and that her claims of potential rights violations were speculative.
