‘I’m Not a Criminal, My Life Is Now in Danger’ — Aisha Achimugu Accuses EFCC of Persecution

Businesswoman and Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd founder, Aisha Achimugu, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of persecuting her through what she described as intimidation, character assassination and the unlawful seizure of her assets.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Achimugu maintained that she is not a criminal and has never been convicted of any offence. She claimed that the EFCC’s actions have damaged her reputation, disrupted her investments and placed her life and that of her family at risk.

“I am not a criminal and I have never been convicted of any offence,” she stated, adding that she has always cooperated with authorities whenever required.

Her remarks followed recent court orders granting the Federal Government final forfeiture of assets linked to her. On July 16, a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the forfeiture of jewellery valued at over N4.6 billion, 11 luxury vehicles worth more than N4.2 billion, as well as $50,000 and N30 million in cash.

Earlier this year, a Federal High Court in Abuja also approved the final forfeiture of $13 million connected to Achimugu and her company after the EFCC alleged the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Rejecting the allegations, Achimugu insisted that the money formed part of payments made by Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for oil block transactions. She said the EFCC ignored documentary evidence supporting those payments and instead pursued what she described as a campaign to tarnish her image.

The businesswoman further alleged that EFCC operatives invaded her residence on two occasions, seized valuables, luxury vehicles and personal funds, and subjected members of her family, including her elderly mother, to emotional distress.

Achimugu also claimed that the anti-graft agency influenced the revocation of her United States visa, preventing her from attending a Harvard executive programme and affecting her ability to travel using her Grenadian citizenship.

She said the continued legal actions and public allegations have caused significant financial losses and reputational damage. Meanwhile, the EFCC maintains that its investigations and court proceedings are part of ongoing efforts to recover assets suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.