The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release embattled socialite and oil magnate, Aisha Achimugu, within 24 hours.
Delivering a brief ruling on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed the EFCC to comply fully with the court’s earlier directive and release the applicant without delay.
“The third respondent is hereby ordered to foster the release of the applicant within 24 hours of this order,” Justice Ekwo ruled. “Parties, especially the third respondent (EFCC), shall return to court on May 2, 2025, to report compliance.”
This directive follows the EFCC’s arrest of Achimugu in the early hours of Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Achimugu, who is under investigation by the anti-graft agency for alleged involvement in conspiracy, money laundering, and fraudulent acquisition of oil blocs, was earlier declared wanted by the commission for allegedly jumping bail.
In a public notice, the EFCC stated, “The public is hereby notified that AISHA SULAIMAN ACHIMUGU is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.”
According to the EFCC’s affidavit, Achimugu was initially arrested on February 12, 2024, and granted administrative bail. She had allegedly received N8.71 billion from partners as investment towards the acquisition of oil blocs.
The EFCC stated, “She admitted the sum of N8,710,000,000.00 was paid by her partners for the purchase and payment of a signature bonus for oil blocs on November 8, 2022.”
The commission further revealed that Achimugu, through her company—Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited—acquired two oil blocs, Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO, for a total of $25.3 million.
The funds used for the purchase were allegedly paid in cash to Bureau De Change operators who remitted payments to the Federal Government through corporate accounts.
The EFCC alleged that the origins of the funds could not be traced to any lawful income or partnership, and that the acquisition process was riddled with corrupt practices, including the payment of bribes to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
The commission added, “None of the oil blocs allocated to Ocean Gate Engineering has commenced exploration or production since inception.”
Further investigation also reportedly uncovered that Achimugu controls 136 bank accounts across ten banks under her name and her company’s.
Following her declaration as wanted, Achimugu filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025) against the EFCC and five other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, ICPC, DSS, NSCDC, and Nigerian Immigration Service.
In her affidavit, Achimugu claimed her declaration as wanted was unjust and without probable cause, stating it was intended to “discredit, humiliate, and subject her to public ridicule,” thereby damaging her reputation and professional standing.
Her lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), informed the court that none of the respondents responded to or appeared in court despite being duly served.
Justice Ekwo had previously adjourned the hearing to April 28, stressing the court’s readiness to hear from the agencies. On resumption, Achimugu filed an affidavit of facts, prompting the judge to issue the 24-hour release order.
The matter was also adjourned to May 2, 2025, for continuation of hearing on the pending processes.
