A team of 20 constitutional lawyers and activists, led by Barrister Okere Kingdom, has announced plans to file multiple legal actions against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what they describe as unfounded allegations against businesswoman Aisha Achimugu.
The legal team aims to challenge the accusations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, the EFCC’s declaration of Achimugu as a wanted person, and the raids conducted on her properties.
On Friday, the EFCC declared Achimugu wanted, with the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, making the announcement through a circular posted on the commission’s official X handle.
The agency alleges that she is involved in a case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
However, in a statement, the group of constitutional lawyers dismissed the EFCC’s actions as unjust and politically motivated, insisting that Achimugu is a victim of targeted harassment.
“We are commencing multiple legal actions to quash the baseless allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering against a foremost successful businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu,” the statement read.
“The coordinated attempt to undermine the rights and integrity of a woman who has invested so much in Nigeria and built an international business cannot be tolerated. This is a clear case of organized intimidation and the misuse of state power for political reasons to frame a hardworking woman who is not a politician.”
The lawyers also criticized the EFCC for its swift action in raiding Achimugu’s Asokoro residence in Abuja shortly after declaring her wanted, alleging that her elderly mother was harassed during the operation.
They further claimed that similar intimidation tactics were used at her Maitama residence.
“It is curious that EFCC, just hours after this declaration, invaded Aisha’s house in Asokoro, Abuja, where they harassed her aged mother and continued with similar despicable acts at her house in Maitama,” the group stated.
“This violation of a citizen’s fundamental human rights and the intimidation of her family members and staff is dragging Nigeria back to the dark days. We will not fold our arms and let it happen.”
The legal team has vowed to initiate court proceedings this week to put an end to what they describe as an unjust persecution and a deliberate attempt to tarnish Achimugu’s reputation and business interests.
“The legal battle which will commence this week will put an end to these unjust persecutions and the deliberate plot to destroy the integrity and business expansion of a successful industrialist and businesswoman,” the lawyers stated.
