I’m Not A Criminal, Never Convicted – 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 of persecuting and intimidating her, alleging that the anti-graft agency’s actions have threatened her life, damaged her reputation and negatively affected her businesses.

Achimugu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, also accused the EFCC of abusing legal processes and carrying out what she described as a sustained campaign of harassment and character assassination against her.

The businesswoman, however, insisted that she was not a criminal and had never been convicted of any offence.

“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 subjected her to “oppression, character assassination, intimidation and the deliberate dissipation of my lawfully acquired personal property.”

She said the actions had not only affected her but had also put her children and investments at risk.

BACKGROUND

The latest allegations came amid ongoing legal battles between Achimugu and the EFCC over assets and funds the commission said were linked to alleged unlawful activities.

Days before her statement, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo granted a final forfeiture order transferring several assets linked to the businesswoman to the Federal Government.

The assets reportedly include jewellery valued at more than N4.6bn, 11 luxury vehicles worth about N4.29bn, $50,000 and N30m in cash.

The development followed an earlier ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the final forfeiture of $13m linked to Achimugu and Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd.

The EFCC had argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Achimugu, however, has maintained that she is challenging the forfeiture order at the Court of Appeal.

In her latest statement, Achimugu alleged that repeated public statements and legal actions by the EFCC had created the impression that she was a criminal, despite the fact that she had not been convicted of any offence.

She said the situation had caused serious damage to her reputation and resulted in the loss of business opportunities.

According to her, the EFCC’s actions had also exposed her family and investments to unnecessary risks.

The businesswoman said she had always cooperated with government authorities and had never attempted to evade investigation.

She therefore questioned what she described as the commission’s continued actions against her, insisting that she should not be treated as a convicted criminal when the legal process was still ongoing.

The businesswoman also disputed the EFCC’s claim concerning the $13m ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government.

She maintained that the money formed part of a $20m payment made by her company to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for petroleum prospecting licences.

According to her, the funds were not proceeds of criminal activity as alleged by the EFCC.

Achimugu said documentary evidence showing the payments had already been submitted to the NUPRC.

She said the documents included evidence of transfers of $2m and $5m made through a South African bank into designated government accounts.

The businesswoman accused the EFCC of ignoring the records and continuing to pursue allegations against her both in court and through the media.

She said she would continue to challenge the forfeiture order through the appropriate legal channels.

Achimugu also accused the commission of acting in bad faith by declaring her wanted despite allegedly knowing her whereabouts and maintaining communication with her lawyers.

She said that shortly after she was declared wanted, about 30 EFCC operatives allegedly raided her residence.

According to her, the operatives seized jewellery, safes and personal funds during the operation and intimidated members of her family.

She particularly alleged that her elderly mother, who had recently returned from abroad after undergoing spinal surgery, was made to remain seated for several hours during the raid despite her health condition.

Achimugu described the incident as unacceptable and alleged that the operation caused further distress to her family.

Achimugu further alleged that EFCC operatives returned to her residence on January 20, 2026, while legal proceedings relating to the matter were still pending.

She claimed that the operatives removed all vehicles found on the premises using cranes and flatbed trucks.

According to her, the operation was carried out without regard to the ownership of the vehicles or the possibility of damage to the property.

She said she later approached the court to seek the return of the seized vehicles and other personal belongings.

However, according to Achimugu, the EFCC subsequently obtained another ex parte forfeiture order from an FCT High Court.

An ex parte order is a temporary court order granted based on an application by one party without the other party being present at the initial stage.

The businesswoman also claimed that the EFCC’s actions had affected her international travel and business activities.

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

She further claimed that she faced difficulties obtaining another visa with her Grenadian passport.

According to her, the situation prevented her from attending a Harvard executive programme for which she had already enrolled.

Achimugu said the developments had caused her significant financial losses and resulted in the loss of several business opportunities.

She argued that the damage to her reputation had made it difficult for her to conduct business and maintain relationships with international partners.

The businesswoman insisted that she had never attempted to evade investigation and had remained willing to cooperate with the relevant authorities.

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

The commission has relied on the legal process in seeking the forfeiture of assets and funds linked to the businesswoman and her company.

However, the EFCC has yet to respond to the latest allegations contained in Achimugu’s statement.

The matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings, with Achimugu maintaining that she will continue to challenge the forfeiture orders and defend her reputation and business interests through the courts.