My Life Is in Danger, I’m Not a Criminal — Aisha Achimugu Accuses EFCC of Persecution

Businesswoman and founder of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, Aisha Achimugu, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of persecution, intimidation and abuse of process, alleging that the agency's actions have placed her life at risk, damaged her reputation and adversely affected her business interests.

Achimugu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, maintained that she was not a criminal and had never been convicted of any offence.

She accused the anti-corruption agency of subjecting her to what she described as a sustained campaign of harassment and character assassination, insisting that the allegations against her had unfairly portrayed her as guilty in the public eye.

“I have never been known to be a troublemaker. I am not a criminal and I have never been convicted of any offence,” she said.

Achimugu alleged that the EFCC had engaged in what she described as “oppression, character assassination, intimidation and the deliberate dissipation of my lawfully acquired personal property.”

According to her, the alleged actions had not only affected her personally but had also placed her children and investments at risk.

She further claimed that repeated public statements and legal actions by the commission had caused significant reputational damage, resulting in the loss of business opportunities and undermining her commercial interests.

The latest statement comes days after an FCT High Court sitting in Apo reportedly granted a final forfeiture order transferring several assets linked to Achimugu to the Federal Government.

The assets listed in the order included jewellery valued at more than ₦4.6 billion, 11 luxury vehicles said to be worth about ₦4.29 billion, as well as $50,000 and ₦30 million in cash.

The development followed an earlier ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Achimugu and Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd after the EFCC argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Achimugu, however, said the forfeiture order was being challenged on appeal.

She disputed the EFCC's position on the funds, arguing that the $13 million formed part of a $20 million payment made by her company to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in connection with petroleum prospecting licences.

She maintained that the money was therefore not proceeds of criminal activity, as alleged by the EFCC.

According to Achimugu, her company had provided documentary evidence of the transactions to the NUPRC, including transfers of $2 million and $5 million made through a South African bank into designated government accounts.

She accused the EFCC of disregarding those records while continuing to pursue allegations against her through court proceedings and public statements.

The businesswoman also alleged that the commission acted in bad faith when it declared her wanted, despite, according to her, being aware of her whereabouts and maintaining communication with her legal representatives.

Achimugu claimed that shortly after she was declared wanted, about 30 EFCC operatives raided her residence, where they allegedly seized jewellery, safes and personal funds.

She further alleged that members of her family were subjected to intimidation during the operation.

According to her account, her elderly mother, who had recently returned from spinal surgery abroad, was forced to remain seated for several hours during the raid despite her medical condition.

Achimugu also alleged that EFCC operatives returned to her residence on January 20, 2026, while court proceedings concerning the matter were still pending.

She claimed that the operatives removed vehicles from the property using cranes and flatbed trucks, alleging that the process was carried out without regard to ownership or the possibility of damage to the vehicles.

She said that when she approached the court seeking the return of the seized vehicles and other personal belongings, the EFCC subsequently obtained another ex parte forfeiture order from an FCT High Court.

Beyond the legal and property disputes, Achimugu alleged that the EFCC's actions had also affected her international travel and business engagements.

She claimed that her United States visa was revoked shortly after she was declared wanted.

She further alleged that she encountered difficulties obtaining another visa using her Grenadian passport, which, according to her, prevented her from attending an executive programme at Harvard for which she had already enrolled.

Achimugu said the cumulative effect of the developments had caused her significant financial losses and deprived her of business opportunities.

She insisted that she had consistently cooperated with relevant authorities and had never attempted to evade investigation.

The businesswoman's latest statement comes amid an ongoing legal dispute with the EFCC over assets and funds the commission has linked to alleged unlawful activities.

The EFCC has consistently maintained that its actions against Achimugu are connected to ongoing investigations into allegations of money laundering and proceeds of unlawful activities.

The commission has also pursued forfeiture proceedings involving assets and funds linked to her and her company.

However, Achimugu disputes the allegations and has maintained that the funds and assets in question were lawfully acquired or connected to legitimate business transactions.

The EFCC had not, at the time of publication, issued a response to the latest allegations contained in Achimugu's statement.

The legal battle is therefore expected to continue as the parties pursue their respective positions before the courts, with the outcome of pending appeals and proceedings likely to determine the final status of the disputed assets and funds.