Court dismisses Aisha Achimugu’s N10 billion suit against EFCC
Ms Achimugu had challenged the search and seizure of her cars, jewellery and other belongings, asking the court to determine whether the commission acted within its legal powers. The post Court dismisses Aisha…
Aisha Achimugu, an oil and gas businesswoman, had dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking N10 billion in damages over what she described as an unlawful search and seizure operation at her property. She asked the court to determine whether the EFCC had acted within its legal powers when its operatives searched her premises and took possession of items including cars and jewellery, arguing the action violated her fundamental rights.
The EFCC routinely carries out search and seizure operations as part of its investigations into corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes, and such operations are sometimes challenged in court by suspects or persons of interest who argue the commission overstepped its statutory powers or breached due process. The dismissal of Achimugu's suit effectively upholds the EFCC's conduct in this instance, though the coverage so far does not detail the court's full reasoning, whether Achimugu plans to appeal, or the current status of any underlying investigation that prompted the search.