By Damilola Adeleke

Prominent businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, was taken into custody by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) early Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

According to her legal representative, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), Achimugu voluntarily returned from London to honor a court-directed appearance with the EFCC in connection with a probe into alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Her legal team had informed the court of her scheduled appearance, yet she was “arrested” on arrival at 5 a.m.

Ojukwu described the action as a violation of due process, stating that Achimugu immediately began a hunger strike, labeling her a “prisoner of conscience.”

The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed she was expected to appear but declined to comment on the reported airport arrest, saying further details would follow.

Achimugu’s legal team had previously filed a fundamental human rights suit to restrain security agencies, including the EFCC, from arresting her. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had directed that Achimugu should appear before the EFCC on April 29 and return to court the next day alongside the Commission.

Achimugu is the CEO of Felak Concept Group, a multi-sector conglomerate operating in engineering, oil and gas, maritime, and IT. Her case has sparked fresh attention on financial accountability following the contentious 2023 general elections.