Businesswoman and investor Aisha Achimugu has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of orchestrating what she described as a sustained campaign of harassment, alleging repeated violations of her constitutional rights, disregard for court orders and actions that have negatively affected her life, family and business interests.

In a public statement, Achimugu said she decided to speak out after nearly two years of what she described as intimidation, oppression and a damaging media campaign directed at her and her companies. She claimed the commission’s actions had endangered not only her personal safety but also that of her children, aged parents, extended family and employees, while creating a negative impression for foreign investors considering Nigeria.

According to Achimugu, the EFCC wrongly linked her to MBA Forex and Capital Investment in 2023, leading to the freezing of her personal and corporate bank accounts. She said her legal team later clarified that one of her companies had only carried out a single transaction for the firm and subsequently refunded ₦58 million to the EFCC’s recovery account, which she claimed resolved any connection her company had with the investigation.

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She further alleged that despite maintaining communication with the anti-graft agency through her lawyers regarding invitations for questioning, the EFCC declared her wanted in March 2025. According to her, the declaration came only hours after her company, Oceangate Oil & Gas Limited, submitted evidence of a $20 million payment to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for two oil blocks.

The businesswoman also claimed that EFCC operatives searched her residence, confiscated valuables and personal funds, and arrested her upon her return to Nigeria in April 2025, despite the existence of a court order. She alleged that although she was granted bail within 24 hours, she remained in detention for an additional five days after meeting the bail conditions.

Achimugu further accused the commission of freezing accounts belonging to her businesses, obtaining forfeiture orders on her assets, confiscating vehicles from her residence and instituting additional legal proceedings while related cases were still pending before other courts.

She said the actions had severely affected her businesses, investments and international reputation, noting that she had invested nearly $90 million in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the past five years, attracted more than $100 million in foreign direct investment into the country and currently employs about 200 Nigerians. She also highlighted the activities of her foundation in healthcare, education and community development.

The investor further alleged that the controversy contributed to the revocation of her United States visa and affected her ability to travel using her Grenadian passport.

Calling for intervention, Achimugu appealed to the National Assembly, the judiciary, security agencies, human rights organisations and the international community to ensure that investors operating in Nigeria are treated in accordance with the law and due process.

“I believe that justice delayed is justice denied, and I am not afraid to face the law provided due process is followed. My lawyers are pursuing all legal remedies locally and internationally,” she stated.

She concluded by expressing concern for her personal safety and that of her family, alleging that her life and the wellbeing of her loved ones were under threat.

Newsworld reports that the allegations contained in Achimugu’s statement are her claims. As of the time of filing this report, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had not publicly responded to the specific allegations.