Court Orders EFCC And Other Agencies To File Defence In Aisha Achimugu’s Suit

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and five security agencies to respond to a suit filed by Aisha Achimugu. Achimugu, CEO of Felak Concept Group, seeks an interim injunction to stop her arrest and detention. The suit also asks the court to nullify her wanted status declared by the EFCC on March 28, 2025.

Achimugu’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, told the court that the agencies did not appear to file any defence. The court reviewed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, filed on April 3, and noted that the respondents received earlier service but did not reply. The court warned that the EFCC and other agencies must now file their defence or face further legal consequences.

Ifeanyi Otuya, Achimugu’s brother, swore an affidavit supporting the suit. He detailed his sister’s strong international business credentials and explained that she left for the United Kingdom on March 3 for urgent medical treatment. Otuya said she returned briefly on March 8 to collect documents before resuming her treatment in the UK. He added that her lawyer twice requested a new meeting with the EFCC for April 28 or 29. However, an EFCC official sent a WhatsApp message on March 11 disputing her travel claims and threatening to declare her wanted for alleged conspiracy and money laundering.

At Friday’s hearing, no representatives from the EFCC or other respondent agencies appeared. The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, confirmed that all parties had been properly served. “I will give them one more opportunity,” he said. He adjourned the matter to April 28 and ordered reissuance of hearing notices.

The court stressed that the EFCC must act in accordance with the law. Achimugu’s suit targets the EFCC’s handling of her case. The EFCC and other agencies now face strict deadlines. Observers note that the court’s order signals a tougher stance on EFCC accountability in Nigeria. The legal community watches closely as the court expects a prompt response from the EFCC, a move that may reshape how the EFCC defends its actions in court.