The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied that its investigation of Ms. Aisha Achimugu is politically motivated, insisting that her investigation has no connection to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The commission had on Friday – yesterday, March 28 – declared Achimugu, 51, from Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact the commission at its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644, its email address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest police station or other security agencies,” the agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, had appealed in a circular released via the EFCC’s X handle yesterday.
Daily Query reports that the EFCC had, in a letter, summoned the socialite to appear at its Port Harcourt office on March 5 over alleged money laundering and “a high-profile investment scam”.
Dated March 4 and signed by the EFCC’s acting zonal director in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Adebayo Adeniyi, the letter was said to have been sent to Achimugu’s residential address in Abuja.
“This commission is currently investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from you becomes imperative.
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through the Head of Investigation on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, by 10:00 hours prompt,” the letter reads.
However, rather than reporting to the EFCC office as requested by the agency, Achimugu was said to have travelled out of Nigeria on Thursday, March 6.
Following her alleged departure from the country, the agency obtained an arrest warrant and declared her wanted.
Contrary to claims in some quarters, Oyewale emphasised that the investigation of Achimugu had no connection to any political figures.
“She is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering and has since been declared wanted by the commission,” he said.
He said that the EFCC began its investigation into Achimugu in 2022.
“Although she sought an injunction in court to prevent the commission from arresting, investigating, inviting, or detaining her, the injunction was challenged and vacated on Feb. 19, 2025, by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
“The court ruled that no court has the power to stop the investigative powers of the Police, EFCC, or any agency established under the law to investigate crimes when there is reasonable suspicion or ample evidence of an offence.
“The court also upheld the interim forfeiture order of assets suspected to be proceeds of crime, dismissing Achimugu’s suit as lacking merit.
“The foregoing clearly establishes that the EFCC’s case against her has no immediate or remote nexus with any politician or any veiled or open reference to any political engagement or transaction.
“The EFCC is non-partisan and non-sectarian. We encourage the public to continue to have faith in the professionalism of the Commission without imputing any extraneous considerations to its work,” Oyewale said.
