Businesswoman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, Aisha Achimugu, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of violating her fundamental rights and called for judicial protection, alleging that the anti-graft agency has subjected her to unlawful investigations, asset seizures and a sustained media campaign.
In a statement released on Monday, Achimugu said she had been under investigation for nearly two years despite cooperating with the EFCC and honouring more than 20 invitations. She maintained that she had never been convicted of any criminal offence and remained willing to cooperate with lawful investigations.
She alleged that the EFCC wrongly linked her and her companies to MBA Forex and Capital Investment, leading to the freezing of her personal and corporate bank accounts. According to her, her company only handled a single transaction for the firm and later refunded ₦58 million to the commission after clarifying the nature of the transaction.
Achimugu further claimed she was declared wanted in March 2025 despite her lawyers informing the commission of her travel schedule and availability. She also alleged that EFCC operatives later searched her residence and confiscated jewellery, cash and other valuables.
The businesswoman said she was arrested upon returning to Nigeria in April 2025 despite existing court orders, detained beyond the period ordered by the court and compelled to surrender her international passport.
She also accused the EFCC of obtaining ex parte forfeiture orders over assets belonging to her companies while appeals and other legal proceedings were still pending.
According to Achimugu, the investigations have disrupted her businesses, strained international banking relationships, affected financing opportunities and damaged her reputation. She added that the matter led to the revocation of her United States visa and complications relating to her Grenadian citizenship, preventing her from attending an executive programme at Harvard University.
Achimugu said she had invested nearly $90 million in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the past five years and attracted more than $100 million in investments into the country through her businesses. She also highlighted the humanitarian work of the Sam Empowerment Foundation, which she said has supported healthcare, education, scholarships, water projects and community development across Nigeria.
She called on the National Assembly, the judiciary, security agencies, human rights organisations and the international business community to ensure respect for the rule of law, protect legitimate investors and uphold court orders.
Achimugu said her legal team was pursuing remedies in Nigerian and international courts, reiterating that she was prepared to face any lawful investigation conducted in accordance with due process.
The EFCC had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
