The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied allegations that its investigation into business executive Aisha Achimugu is politically motivated, insisting that the case has no connection to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale dismissed claims that the probe was part of a broader political agenda. He emphasized that Achimugu is being investigated solely for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering, adding that she has already been declared wanted by the commission.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to react to media reports linking its investigations of Ms. Aisha Achimugu with political undercurrents involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We wish to state unequivocally that the investigations of Achimugu have no correlation of any kind with the two political actors,” the statement read.
The EFCC’s response follows speculation that the high-profile probe was influenced by political considerations, a claim the agency strongly denied. Oyewale reiterated that the commission’s focus remains on financial crimes and that it does not engage in political battles.
Achimugu, a 51-year-old businesswoman from Ofu Local Government Area in Kogi State, has been under EFCC investigation since 2022. She had sought a court injunction to prevent her arrest, interrogation, or detention. However, on February 19, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against her request, vacating the injunction and upholding an interim forfeiture order on assets suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
The court’s ruling reinforced the powers of law enforcement agencies to investigate individuals where reasonable suspicion or evidence of wrongdoing exists. It also dismissed Achimugu’s legal challenge as lacking merit.
“The ruling reaffirms that no court has the power to halt the investigative functions of the EFCC, the police, or any legally constituted agency tasked with probing criminal activities,” Oyewale stated.
He stressed that the EFCC’s case against Achimugu is based strictly on financial impropriety and is not a form of political vendetta.
“Our investigations are guided by professionalism, and we urge the public to avoid reading political motives into our work,” he said.
The statement comes amid heightened political tensions, with accusations of selective prosecution often surfacing in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, the EFCC maintains that its actions are driven by evidence and legal obligations rather than external pressures.
Achimugu’s case is one of several high-profile financial crime investigations in recent months, as the anti-graft agency continues its crackdown on corruption and money laundering. While critics have previously accused the EFCC of bias, the commission insists that its work remains free of political influence.
The EFCC also called on the public to support its anti-corruption efforts and to avoid spreading misinformation that could undermine its mandate.
As the investigation progresses, the commission has pledged to follow due process, ensuring that all legal protocols are adhered to.