Businesswoman, investor and philanthropist, Aisha Achimugu (OFR), has claimed she has endured nearly two years of harassment, intimidation, asset seizures and a sustained media campaign, which she attributed to actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement she made available to newsmen, Achimugu appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, the judiciary, human rights organisations and the international community to intervene, insisting that her life, those of her children and staff, as well as investments worth more than $100 million, were under threat.
She maintained that she had committed no crime and remained willing to face any lawful investigation conducted in accordance with due process.
“I am not a criminal. I have never been convicted of any offence. I am only asking that the rule of law be respected and that my life, my children and my businesses be protected,” she said.
Achimugu alleged that the ordeal began in 2023 when the EFCC froze her personal accounts, those of her children and companies within the Felak Group over investigations involving MBA Forex and Capital Investment.
According to her, the anti-graft agency mistakenly linked her to the company as a shareholder or partner, whereas her company had merely carried out a single business transaction on behalf of the firm.
She disclosed that after honouring an EFCC invitation in January 2024, she refunded ₦58 million connected to the transaction, believing the matter had been resolved.
The businesswoman further alleged that in March 2025 she received an invitation from the EFCC while she was outside the country and immediately informed the commission through her lawyers of her unavailability, proposing alternative dates for her appearance.
She said despite the correspondence, the commission later declared her wanted and launched what she described as a coordinated media campaign portraying her as a fugitive.
According to Achimugu, the declaration came on the same day her company, Oceangate Oil & Gas Limited, completed payments of $20 million to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for two oil blocks.
She claimed that shortly after the declaration, armed EFCC operatives raided her residence, confiscating valuables, jewellery, safes and cash.
Achimugu also alleged that upon returning to Nigeria in April 2025, EFCC operatives arrested her at the airport despite an existing court order directing parties to maintain the status quo in an ongoing fundamental rights suit.
She said although the court granted her bail, she remained in custody for five additional days after meeting the bail conditions.
The investor further accused the commission of repeatedly obtaining interim forfeiture orders over her assets while litigation remained pending in court.
She alleged that her bank accounts have remained frozen for nearly two years, resulting in the collapse of business opportunities, loss of international banking relationships and cancellation of investment financing.
Achimugu also claimed that EFCC operatives conducted a second raid on her residence in January 2026, removing vehicles from her premises despite ongoing legal proceedings.
She said the cumulative effect of the investigations and media publicity had damaged her reputation locally and internationally.
According to her, she had lost several international banking relationships, investment opportunities and business partnerships because of the allegations against her.
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She further alleged that her United States visa was revoked after she was declared wanted and claimed that reports linking her to criminal investigations had affected her international mobility, including plans to attend an executive programme at Harvard University.
Achimugu insisted that she had invested nearly $90 million in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the past five years and attracted investments exceeding $100 million into the country.
She also highlighted the activities of her Sam Empowerment Foundation (SEF), which she said had implemented healthcare, education, scholarship, food support and community development programmes benefiting millions of Nigerians.
The businesswoman maintained that the campaign against her had undermined investor confidence and could discourage indigenous entrepreneurs from investing in Nigeria.
She called on the judiciary to ensure that court orders are respected and urged the media to report responsibly by distinguishing allegations from proven facts.
“I remain a proud Nigerian. I believe in the judiciary and in the rule of law. My lawyers are pursuing every legal remedy available, both locally and internationally,” she said.
Achimugu concluded by appealing for protection of her life, family, businesses and investments, warning that continued public exposure through what she termed a “media trial” had placed her security at risk.
She urged Nigerians and the international community to support the protection of lawful businesses and uphold constitutional rights, insisting that private investment remains essential to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The EFCC had not responded to Achimugu’s allegations as of the time of filing this report. The commission is expected to state its position on the claims.