Businesswoman and investor Aisha Achimugu has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of conducting a sustained campaign against her, alleging violations of her constitutional rights, disregard for court orders and actions that have endangered her life, family and businesses.
In a press release issued on 20 July 2026, Achimugu said she was speaking publicly after nearly two years of what she described as oppression, intimidation and a damaging media campaign against her and her companies.
She said: “Today, I am compelled to address both the local and international press in connection with what can best be described as a sustained campaign of calumny that threatens not just my personal rights to life and property, but the lives of my young children, aged parents, extended family and staff, and also the enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria.”
Achimugu alleged that the EFCC wrongly linked her to MBA Forex and Capital Investment, leading to the freezing of her personal and corporate bank accounts in 2023.
She said her legal team later clarified that her company had only carried out a single transaction for the firm and refunded ₦58 million to the EFCC recovery account, which she said settled her company’s involvement in the investigation.
Achimugu also alleged that despite maintaining communication with the commission through her lawyers regarding invitations for questioning, she was declared wanted in March 2025.
According to her, the declaration came just hours after her company, Oceangate Oil & Gas Limited, submitted proof of payment of $20 million to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for two oil blocks.
She claimed EFCC operatives later searched her residence and seized valuables and personal funds before arresting her upon her return to Nigeria in April 2025 despite an existing court order.
Achimugu further alleged that although a court granted her bail within 24 hours, she remained in detention for an additional five days after meeting the bail conditions.
She also accused the commission of freezing all accounts linked to her businesses, obtaining forfeiture orders over assets, seizing vehicles from her residence and pursuing additional court actions while related matters remained before other courts.
The businesswoman said the actions had severely affected her businesses and international standing.
According to her, she has invested nearly $90 million in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the last five years, attracted more than $100 million in investments into the country and employs nearly 200 Nigerians.
She also said her foundation has implemented health, education and community development projects across the country.
Achimugu alleged that the campaign against her extended beyond Nigeria, claiming it contributed to the revocation of her US visa and affected her ability to travel on her Grenadian passport.
Calling on the National Assembly, the judiciary, security agencies, human rights organisations and the international community to intervene, she said legitimate investors should not be subjected to what she described as unlawful treatment.
She said: “I believe that justice delayed is justice denied, and I am not afraid to face the law provided due process is followed. My lawyers are pursuing all legal remedies locally and internationally. I call on the media and the global business community to support a fair business environment in Nigeria and to reject the spread of defamatory and damaging information that harms the national economy.”
In her concluding remarks, Achimugu issued what she described as an urgent appeal for protection.
She declared: “MY VERY EXISTENCE AND LIFE ARE IN DANGER. MY PRIVATE LIFE AND PRIVACY INVADED. THE INNOCENCE AND SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN ARE UNDER THREAT. THE HEALTH AND PEACE OF MY AGED PARENTS ARE BEING SACRIFICED.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
