EFCC arrests Aisha Achimugu at Abuja airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Aisha Achimugu.

The managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Felak Concept Group was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Achimugu was taken in around 5am on Tuesday after arriving in Nigeria from London.

Chikaosolu Ojukwu, her lawyer, confirmed the arrest in a statement shared with TheCable.

Ojukwu added that his client has embarked on a hunger strike.

“She arrived voluntarily and was arrested by the EFCC. She has immediately gone on hunger strike,” he said.

“Like Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, she is a prisoner of conscience.

“This phase will surely pass. Nigeria’s rule of law is at the precipice.”

ALLEGED MONEY LAUNDERING

The anti-graft agency had declared the socialite wanted for alleged money laundering on March 28.

On Monday, the federal high court in Abuja ordered Achimugu to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday in connection with an alleged money laundering case.

Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, also directed the EFCC to present Achimugu before the court on Wednesday.

The judge gave the order following a suit filed by Achimugu, seeking an interim injunction to prevent security agencies from arresting or harassing her.

During the court proceedings, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, counsel to Achimugu, told the court that his client had expressed a willingness to honour the EFCC invitation on April 29 once she returns to the country.

Ogunwumiju prayed that the court should order her client to report to the anti-graft agency and continue on the same bail conditions earlier given by the EFCC.

Responding, the EFCC lawyer argued that Achimugu’s application was speculative because her rights had never been breached.

The EFCC counsel further argued that Achimugu violated the administrative bail conditions earlier given to her by the anti-graft agency.