Court Throws Out Achimugu’s N10bn Suit Against EFCC

​ABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by prominent businesswoman and Felak Concept Group Chief Executive Officer, Aisha Achimugu, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

​Presiding judge, Justice M.S. Liman, handed down the judgment, ruling that the anti-graft agency acted strictly within its legal mandate when it raided the plaintiff’s private residence and impounded high-value assets.

​The legal showdown, tracked under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, was instituted by Achimugu to contest the propriety of an EFCC operation that led to the search of her home and the subsequent seizure of luxury vehicles, expensive jewellery, and other personal belongings. Invoking her constitutional guarantees, the businesswoman had prayed the court to protect her right to privacy by issuing a restraining order to bar the commission from future harassment, threats, or invasion of her residential property.

​Furthermore, Achimugu demanded a staggering N10 billion in general and aggravated damages from the anti-corruption agency, alleging that the commission’s actions constituted an unwarranted and malicious violation of her privacy.

ADVERTISEMENT

​However, delivering his verdict, Justice Liman rejected the arguments put forward by the plaintiff’s legal team. The court held that the EFCC possesses clear statutory powers to execute searches on private properties upon receiving credible intelligence pointing to alleged criminal activities.

​“EFCC has the right to search the residence,” Justice Liman declared, emphasizing that there was no legal justification to shackle or restrain a law enforcement agency from executing its statutory duties.

​Addressing the monetary claims, the trial judge noted that Achimugu and her counsels woefully failed to establish any substantial grounds or legal basis to warrant the monumental N10 billion compensation demanded. Consequently, the court threw out the damages claim in its entirety, labeling the entire legal action as lacking in merit, “frivolous,” and “brought in bad faith”.

​Reacting to the outcome of the legal battle, counsel to the EFCC, Emenike Mgbemele, lauded the court’s position, describing the judgment as a triumph for justice. He maintained that the suit was nothing more than an elaborate ploy designed to distract the anti-corruption agency and waste the precious time of the court.