KEY POINTS

• A Federal High Court ordered the EFCC to release businesswoman Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours, citing procedural overreach in her arrest over a ₦4.8 billion money laundering probe.

• The case underscores tensions between Nigeria’s judiciary and anti-graft agencies, with a 35% surge in lawsuits against the EFCC for alleged rights violations since 2023.

• Achimugu’s arrest reignites debates over due process in high-profile corruption cases, as critics accuse the EFCC of selective enforcement and political bias.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours, intensifying scrutiny over the agency’s handling of high-profile corruption cases.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the directive on Tuesday, demanding the EFCC present Achimugu and a compliance report by May 2, 2025.

Channelstv reports that the ruling follows Achimugu’s arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport earlier that day, where EFCC operatives accused her of evading bail in a ₦4.8 billion money laundering investigation.

Achimugu, previously arrested in 2024 over allegations of fraud and property acquisitions linked to illicit funds, was released on administrative bail but later declared wanted by the EFCC for allegedly violating bail terms.

Her legal team contested the arrest as premature, citing a standing court order for her to voluntarily surrender. “The EFCC’s actions disregard judicial due process and undermine the principle of presumption of innocence,” argued Barrister Femi Ogunlana, Achimugu’s lead counsel.

Case ignites debate over EFCC’s tactics

The court’s intervention highlights growing friction between Nigeria’s judiciary and anti-corruption agencies. Legal experts warn that the EFCC’s approach risks eroding public trust, citing a 35% rise in lawsuits against the agency since 2023 for alleged rights violations. “While combating graft is vital, agencies must operate within legal frameworks to avoid perceived witch hunts,” said human rights advocate Aisha Yesufu. The EFCC, however, maintains that Achimugu’s case involves “substantial evidence” of money laundering through shell companies and luxury real estate in Abuja and Dubai.

Achimugu’s arrest has polarized public opinion. Anti-corruption groups, including the Transparency Advocacy Initiative, applaud the EFCC’s rigor, noting Nigeria’s 150th rank on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Conversely, civil society organizations like SERAP argue that “selective enforcement” targets elites while systemic corruption persists. Meanwhile, Achimugu’s supporters claim political motivations, pointing to her ties to influential figures in the ruling party.

The case mirrors recent controversies, including the EFCC’s 2024 detention of celebrity businessman Obi Cubana, which was similarly challenged in court. Justice Ekwo’s ruling now sets a precedent for balancing enforcement with constitutional rights, as Nigeria grapples with recovering over $500 million in looted funds annually.