The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other respondents in a suit filed by socialite and businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to refrain from proceeding with her arrest and detention.
The respondents named in the fundamental human rights enforcement suit include the Nigeria Police Force, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigerian Immigration Service, listed as the 1st to 6th respondents, respectively.
At the resumed sitting on Friday, Achimugu’s counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, informed the court that the respondents had failed to respond or appear, despite being served with the court’s order.
Justice Inyang Ekwo expressed a desire to hear from the respondents and adjourned the matter until April 28, 2025, directing that a hearing notice be served.
The judge emphasised that the respondents would be given one final opportunity to appear and show cause why Achimugu’s prayers should not be granted.
Recall that Achimugu filed an ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, dated and submitted on April 3, 2025.
In the motion, she sought an interim injunction restraining the respondents from threatening or harassing her with arrest, detention, or invasion of her properties, as well as infringing on her rights to freedom of movement, liberty, privacy, and property.
She also sought an order to prevent the respondents from arresting or detaining her, violating her rights as guaranteed under Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
Additionally, Achimugu requested an interim order restraining the respondents from enforcing a declaration issued on March 28, 2025, which declared her wanted.
In her affidavit, Achimugu described the declaration by the EFCC as baseless and designed to damage her reputation, dignity, and professional standing. She cited irreparable harm to her business, reputation, and emotional well-being as a direct result of the declaration.
Achimugu argued that granting the application would safeguard her fundamental rights without prejudicing public interest or hindering the respondents’ statutory functions.
Supporting her claims, Ifeanyi Otuya, her brother, deposed that Achimugu is a law-abiding citizen and a reputable industrialist.
He disclosed that she travelled to the United Kingdom on March 3, 2025, for medical treatment and could not honour an EFCC invitation issued on March 4 due to her health needs.
Otuya added that subsequent attempts to reschedule the invitation were ignored, and on March 28, she was declared wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
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