Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday night raided the Asokoro, Abuja, residence of embattled businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu, hours after she was declared wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
The search, which began around 9 p.m., did not yield Mrs Achimugu, who is reportedly out of the country. However, her aged mother, children and domestic staff were present during the operation.
Earlier on Friday, the EFCC published an official gazette requesting anyone with useful information on Achimugu’s whereabouts to contact the commission through its offices across Nigeria, its official phone line or the nearest police station.
“The public is hereby notified that Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Criminal Conspiracy and Money Laundering,” the EFCC statement read. It also revealed that the 51-year-old businesswoman hails from Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, with her last known address in Maitama, Abuja.
The declaration came nearly two weeks after reports emerged that Achimugu had fled Nigeria to evade questioning by EFCC investigators. The anti-graft agency had earlier invited her for an interrogation scheduled for March 5, 2025, at its Port Harcourt office, but she reportedly left the country instead.
A court-approved warrant was subsequently obtained, allowing the EFCC to officially declare her wanted.
Before the EFCC’s announcement, Achimugu’s aide, David Abakpa, had denied reports of her being under investigation. He claimed that narratives linking her to financial crimes were the handiwork of “unscrupulous elements” attempting to tarnish her reputation.
However, documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES confirmed that the EFCC had indeed invited Achimugu for questioning via a letter dated March 4, 2025. The letter, signed by EFCC’s acting zonal director in Port Harcourt Adebayo Adeniyi, emphasised the need for her to provide clarification on an ongoing investigation.
Despite mounting evidence of the probe, conflicting reports continued to circulate online, with unnamed sources denying any investigation against the businesswoman.
Achimugu, a prominent socialite and the managing director of Felak Concept Group, has long been known for her high-profile connections. She made headlines in 2015 when she hosted an extravagant seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, attended by notable figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
