Aisha Achimugu, the founder of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, has publicly accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of orchestrated harassment and overreach. In a statement released Wednesday, Achimugu asserted that she is not a criminal and has no record of prior convictions, characterizing the agency’s pursuit of her as a calculated effort to ruin her reputation and compromise the safety of her family and business investments.
The controversy follows a High Court order granting the federal government possession of several assets tied to the businesswoman. These include over N4.6 billion in jewellery, roughly N4.29 billion in luxury vehicles, and significant cash reserves. Furthermore, a Federal High Court previously mandated the forfeiture of $13 million, which the EFCC claims are illicit proceeds. Achimugu disputes this, maintaining that the funds were part of a $20 million payment to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for legitimate petroleum prospecting licences.
Achimugu highlighted specific instances of alleged misconduct, including a raid on her home by thirty operatives who she claims mistreated her elderly mother and seized personal property. She also stated that the EFCC declared her a wanted person despite being in contact with her legal representatives. These actions, she noted, have caused severe professional fallout, including the revocation of her U.S. visa and her inability to participate in a Harvard executive program.
While Achimugu maintains that her legal team is currently challenging the forfeiture orders, the EFCC continues to assert that their actions are grounded in valid investigations into money laundering. The agency has not yet provided a formal response to these latest accusations of intimidation.
