By Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Kogi State chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has come to the defence of socialite Dr Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu. This follows the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declaring her wanted.
In a statement shared with journalists on Monday, the group called Achimugu a daughter of Igboland.
They pointed to “a well-deserved chieftaincy title bestowed on her in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.” Mr Chris Ogbonna, the Kogi State Coordinator, signed the statement. He said the title came after a careful review of her character and her immense dedication to helping others.
“This is why we were taken aback when we read that she was declared wanted by the EFCC. At first, we had thought it could be a case of mistaken identity, but the commission is yet to withdraw the wanted tag placed on her,” the statement read.
The group urged the EFCC to rethink its stance. “Based on this, we have considered it most expedient to lend our voice to this development, by urging the EFCC to reconsider its stand on the matter,” they said.
“Mrs Achimugu is someone well respected and who has devoted her life to the service of humanity, an act that earned her a chieftaincy title in Igboland, Udi Local Government Area in Enugu State to be precise.”
They added that her title followed thorough checks. “For her to have been given the title came after thorough checks on her personality and she was not in any way found wanting. Rather, testimonies abound of her hard work and dedication to the service of humanity,” the statement noted.
The Ohanaeze youths asked the EFCC to reassess its decision. They warned against damaging a respected figure. “This is necessary to avoid mistakenly hurting the image and personality of a global brand, Dr Mrs Achimugu,” they declared.