ABUJA, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, a prominent Nigerian business executive, upon her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
According to a statement released by her legal team on Tuesday morning, Achimugu was taken into custody by EFCC operatives at about 5:00 a.m. after flying in from London, where she had been receiving medical treatment.
The arrest marks a new chapter in the ongoing investigation into allegations of criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and the illegal acquisition of property linked to the controversial MBA Trading and Capital Limited investment scheme.
Her legal team had previously informed the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday that Achimugu had voluntarily chosen to respond to the EFCC’s invitation, as ordered by Justice Inyang Ekwo. The court had directed her to appear before the anti-graft agency on April 29 and to return to court on April 30 to confirm compliance and allow proceedings in her fundamental human rights enforcement suit.
The EFCC had earlier declared her wanted on March 28, a move her lawyers challenged in court, alleging violations of her rights and improper notice, given that she had traveled abroad for emergency medical care.
Despite this, the EFCC argued she had previously failed to honour its invitations and was on expired administrative bail.
Achimugu, CEO of Felak Concept Group, had sued six security agencies including the EFCC, seeking to block any attempts to arrest or detain her. Monday’s hearing saw her lawyers request that she be allowed to continue on bail, but with her now in custody, the focus turns to how the agency will proceed with interrogation and prosecution.
It remains unclear if the EFCC will produce her in court on Wednesday, April 30, as previously ordered.
Achimugu’s arrest is the latest in a wave of high-profile anti-corruption actions that have sparked debate over due process, selective prosecution, and political motivations, especially given her known ties to political figures such as Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
