THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested popular socialite Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Tuesday, April 29.
She was apprehended by the agency while returning from London.
The EFCC had declared her wanted in March over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
On Monday, April 28, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered her to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday (today) and before the court on Wednesday.
According to media reports, her lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a senior advocate, disclosed her arrest in a statement on Tuesday, stressing that “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC” around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.”
Ojukwu said his client was arrested at the airport despite returning to honour the EFCC’s invitation.
The lawyer claimed she had since embarked on a hunger strike.
Ojukwu criticised the EFCC’s action, describing it as a violation of a court order.
Attempts to confirm the development from the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful, as he did not pick up calls or respond to messages sent to his lines.
Recall that the EFCC, in a notice released on Friday, March 28, and signed by its spokesperson, urged the public to provide useful information about her whereabouts.
Achimugu, 51, is an indigene of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to Premium Times, Achimugu was summoned by the EFCC on March 5 for alleged money laundering and investment scams.
The invitation letter, dated March 4 and signed by the EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Adebayo Adeniyi, was sent to Achimugu’s residential address in Abuja.
However, instead of reporting to the EFCC, she travelled out of Nigeria. As a result, the EFCC obtained an arrest warrant to declare her wanted, reported Premium Times.
Achimugu is a Nigerian businesswoman who serves as the managing director and chief executive officer of Felak Concept Group, specialising in various engineering fields and offering services like consultancy, maritime operations, and waste management.
Notably, she’s the first female consultant for the development of a deep-sea port in South-South Nigeria.
She’s a mother of three and made headlines with her lavish 50th birthday celebration in Grenada, reportedly attended by prominent figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
On Friday, March 21, Achimugu’s media aide, David Abakpa, said she was not under investigation by the EFCC and insisted that she had no issues with the anti-graft agency.
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A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance