A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and five other security agencies to file their defence in a fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by Aisha Achimugu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, seeks to halt Achimugu’s arrest, detention, or any form of harassment by the EFCC and other listed agencies. These include the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, issued the order on Friday following submissions by Achimugu’s counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who informed the court that none of the respondents had filed any defence despite being properly served.
In her suit filed on April 3, Achimugu is praying the court for an interim injunction restraining the agencies from arresting her, invading her residence, or infringing on her rights to liberty, privacy, and freedom of movement. She is also asking the court to nullify her recent declaration as “wanted” by the EFCC, describing the move as “unwarranted, unjustifiable, and devoid of probable cause,” allegedly aimed at humiliating her.
Court documents reveal that Achimugu claims to have suffered irreparable damage as a result of the declaration, including reputational harm, business disruptions, financial loss, emotional trauma, and social stigma.
“The adverse publicity and negative perception generated by the respondents’ actions have not only undermined her professional credibility but have also jeopardised existing business relationships, deterred potential investors and partners, and subjected the applicant to unwarranted public scrutiny and distress,” the filing states.
In an affidavit filed in support of the application, her brother, Ifeanyi Otuya, described Achimugu as a respected international businesswoman who travelled to the United Kingdom on March 3 for medical treatment—just one day before the EFCC sent an invitation over an ongoing investigation.
Otuya stated that Achimugu briefly returned to Nigeria on March 8 to collect medical documents before flying back to the UK the following day. He added that her legal team had written to the EFCC twice to request a rescheduled meeting on April 28 or 29, but an EFCC official allegedly disputed her travel claims via WhatsApp on March 11 and threatened to declare her wanted.
Despite the correspondence, the EFCC declared her wanted on March 28 for alleged conspiracy and money laundering.
When the case was called on Friday, no representatives from any of the respondent agencies were present in court. Justice Ekwo expressed displeasure but granted one final opportunity for them to respond.
“I will give them one more opportunity,” the judge said, before adjourning the matter to April 28, 2025, and directing that fresh hearing notices be issued to all the respondents.
