Victor EzejaThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has debunked reports linking its investigations of Ms. Aisha Achimugu with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Commission in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said its investigations of Achimugu have no connection of any kind with Atiku and Sanwo-Olu.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa had reported that Atiku in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, said there were reports claiming that the EFCC is investigating an alleged case of money laundering perpetrated by Ms Achimugu with links to Atiku and Sanwo-Olu.
The reports claimed that Sanwo-Olu had contributed to Atiku’s campaign funds in the last presidential election and it was allegedly done through Achimugu.
However, the EFCC spokesperson said Achimugu’s investigations are not politically motivated and have no link with any of the two political actors.
The anti-graft agency had declared Achimugu wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“We wish to state unequivocally that the investigations of Achimugu have no correlation of any kind with the two political actors,” Oyewale stated.
“She is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering and has since been declared wanted by the Commission,” the statement added.
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Oyewale narrated that the investigation began in 2022 but was stalled by a court injunction obtained by the suspect which restrained the EFCC from arresting, investigating, inviting or detaining her for any alleged criminal act. The court order, according to the statement, was vacated on 19 February 2025, by a ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, leading to the resumption of the investigation.
“The court ruled that ‘…no court has the power to stop the investigative powers of the Police or EFCC or any agency established under our laws to investigate crimes when there is reasonable suspicion of commission of a crime or ample evidence of commission of an offence by a suspect.’
“The court further upheld the interim order of forfeiture of assets of Achimugu suspected to be proceeds of crime, dismissing her suit against it as lacking merit .
“The foregoing clearly establishes that the EFCC’s case against her has no immediate or remote nexus with any politician or any veiled or open reference to any political engagement or transaction.”
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The anti-corruption agency maintained that it is non-partisan and non-sectarian, and urged the public to continue to keep faith in the professionalism of the Commission and trust it “without imputing any extraneous consideration to its works.”
