A Nigerian businesswoman and socialite declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Aisha Achimugu, has reportedly embarked on a hunger strike following her arrest in Abuja.
Achimugu, who had been declared wanted last month over allegations of money laundering and criminal conspiracy, was apprehended around 5:00 am on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, according to her legal counsel.
Her lead counsel, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), revealed in a statement that Aisha voluntarily returned to Nigeria to comply with a court directive. Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Monday ordered Achimugu to present herself at the EFCC office on Tuesday and appear before the court on Wednesday.
However, instead of allowing her to appear as directed, EFCC operatives arrested her upon arrival.
“In the light of what transpired in court on Monday, our client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honor the EFCC’s invitation, but was arrested at the airport,” Ojukwu said.
In a dramatic move, Achimugu reportedly began a hunger strike immediately after her arrest, protesting what her legal team has described as a breach of the rule of law and an abuse of her rights.
“She is a prisoner of conscience and our stand in the arrest is that it has run contrary to the rule of law,” Ojukwu added.
Her lawyers have also raised concerns about her health and welfare in EFCC custody, especially considering that she willingly returned to Nigeria to clear her name.
The EFCC had last month listed Aisha Achimugu among several individuals wanted in a major probe related to alleged money laundering and conspiracy involving large financial sums. Details of the case remain under wraps as investigations are ongoing, but her arrest is part of a wider anti-corruption clampdown by the commission.
The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement confirming her arrest or commenting on the hunger strike.
Aisha Achimugu is well-known in Nigerian elite and business circles. She gained media attention in January 2024 when she hosted a lavish 50th birthday celebration in the Caribbean, attended by top Nigerian politicians and celebrities.
Her social profile and reported proximity to political circles have made the EFCC’s interest in her case even more high-profile, with public speculation running high on social media.
Achimugu is expected to appear before Justice Ekwo on Wednesday, April 30, in line with the court’s earlier order. Her legal team has signaled that they may challenge the legality of her detention and explore contempt proceedings if EFCC fails to comply with the rule of law.
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