Businesswoman Aisha Achimugu has declared a hunger strike while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Her lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Achimugu, Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group, was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after arriving from London.
According to Ojukwu, Achimugu returned voluntarily to Nigeria to honour the EFCC’s invitation after notifying the Federal High Court.
He said the EFCC arrested her immediately at the airport despite her willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Achimugu is under investigation for alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, corruption, and possession of unlawfully acquired property.
The EFCC declared Achimugu wanted on 28 March in connection with the collapsed MBA Trading and Capital Limited scheme.
She had earlier filed a fundamental rights suit to prevent arrest or detention by the EFCC and other security agencies.
These agencies include the Nigeria Police, ICPC, DSS, NSCDC, and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
On Monday, her lawyer informed Justice Inyang Ekwo that she was prepared to submit herself for interrogation.
The court directed her to honour the EFCC’s invitation and ordered the agency to produce her in court on Wednesday.
In court filings, the EFCC alleged that Achimugu, through Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Ltd, acquired two oil blocs.
The agency said she paid over €22 million through Bureau De Change operators without any traceable lawful income source.
The commission also alleged bribes were paid to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission during the acquisitions.
EFCC investigations revealed Achimugu operates 136 bank accounts across ten banks under personal and company names.
Ojukwu described her as a prisoner of conscience and said her arrest violates legal procedures and due process.
As of Tuesday, efforts to reach the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for a response were unsuccessful.
Achimugu’s company, Felak Concept Group, operates across engineering, maritime, oil and gas, and IT sectors in Nigeria.
Her hunger strike has drawn public attention as the EFCC prepares to present her in court for further hearings.
