A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and five other security agencies to file
their defence in a suit instituted by Aisha Achimugu, the managing director and
chief executive officer (CEO) of Felak Concept Group, seeking to stop her
planned arrest and detention.
Other security agencies listed in the fundamental rights
enforcement suit are the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Independent Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State
Service (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the
Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, gave the order on Friday
after Achimugu’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, informed the court that none of
the respondents had made an appearance or filed a defence, despite being served
an earlier order.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, filed on April 3,
Achimugu is “asking for an interim injunction to stop the agencies from
arresting or harassing her, invading her property, or infringing on her rights
to liberty, privacy, and freedom of movement”.
She is also seeking an order to nullify her declaration as
wanted by the EFCC on March 28, 2025, calling it “unwarranted, unjustifiable,
devoid of probable cause,” designed to humiliate her.
“As a direct consequence of the declaration made by the 4th
respondent, the applicant has suffered irreparable harm, including severe
damage to her hard-earned reputation, substantial disruptions to her business
operations, financial losses, emotional distress, and social stigma,” the court
document reads.
“The adverse publicity and negative perception generated by
the respondents’ actions have not only undermined her professional credibility
but have also jeopardised existing business relationships, deterred potential
investors and partners, and subjected the applicant to unwarranted public
scrutiny and distress.”
In support of the suit, Ifeanyi Otuya, Achimogu’s brother,
swore an affidavit detailing the applicant’s international business credentials
and current medical condition.
Otuya said his sister travelled to the United Kingdom (UK)
on March 3 for treatment, a day before the EFCC sent her an invitation over an
investigation.
“The applicant could not honour the invitation immediately
because she was already in the United Kingdom to prepare for medical
treatment,” he said.
He said Achimugu briefly returned to Nigeria on March 8 to
retrieve medical documents and returned to the UK the following day.
Otuya added that her lawyer wrote to the EFCC twice,
requesting a rescheduled meeting for April 28 or 29.
However, he said an official of the EFCC on March 11 sent a
WhatsApp message disputing her travel claims and threatening to declare her
wanted.
Despite the correspondence, he said the EFCC declared her
wanted on March 28 for alleged conspiracy and money laundering.
When the matter was called on Friday, no representatives
from the respondent agencies appeared. Ogunwumiju told the court all parties
had been duly served.
The judge said he would give the respondents one more
chance.
“I will give them one more opportunity,” he said, adjourning
the matter to April 28 and directing that hearing notices be reissued.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com