Federal High Court Rejects Aisha Achimugu's N10bn Claim Against EFCC

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has thrown out a fundamental human rights lawsuit initiated by Abuja-based entrepreneur, Aisha Achimugu, challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the search of her residence and the confiscation of her assets. The EFCC confirmed this development in a statement released on Monday, indicating that Justice M.S. Liman ruled against Achimugu's bid to contest the commission's operational procedures.

According to the EFCC's statement, the originating suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, saw Achimugu seeking a judicial determination on whether the EFCC's actions—specifically the search of her property and the seizure of her vehicles, jewelry, and other items—fell within the statutory powers of the Commission.

Furthermore, Achimugu had petitioned the court to uphold her right to privacy and to prohibit the anti-graft agency from allegedly intimidating, harassing, or unlawfully entering her private residence. The EFCC statement elaborated: "Achimugu also asked the court to enforce her rights to privacy, including an order of the court restraining the defendant from threatening or harassing and invading her private residence." The businesswoman additionally sought N10 billion in damages from the commission, asserting that their actions constituted an invasion of her privacy.

In its judgment, the EFCC reported that Justice Liman affirmed the commission's authority to conduct searches on Achimugu's premises. This authority, the judge noted, was based on intelligence the EFCC had received concerning her alleged involvement in criminal activities. Justice Liman was quoted in the statement stating, "EFCC has the right to search the residence."

The court also concluded that Achimugu and her legal team failed to present sufficient evidence to justify the substantial damages she was demanding. "The judge said that Achimugu and her legal representatives failed to show reason to warrant the kind of damage she demanded from the EFCC and equally dismissed the request for N10 billion damages," the statement read.

The commission further highlighted that the court maintained there was no impediment preventing the EFCC from executing its mandated statutory duties. Ultimately, the court found the matter to be without merit and dismissed it, characterizing the suit as "frivolous and it was brought in bad faith."

Reacting to the court's decision, Emenike Mgbemele, legal counsel for the EFCC, lauded the judgment as being in the best interest of justice. He further suggested that the entire lawsuit was a deliberate attempt to waste the court's valuable time.