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A businesswoman and founder of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, Aisha Achimugu, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of oppression, intimidation, character assassination and the unlawful dissipation of her personal property, following a series of investigations and court-ordered forfeitures.
In a statement issued yesterday, Achimugu alleged that the anti-graft agency had subjected her to sustained persecution, resulting in damage to her reputation, business interests and investments.
“My reputation has been unfairly questioned, my investments have suffered setbacks, and misleading information from the EFCC has caused significant harm to my businesses and personal life,” she said.
The businesswoman further claimed that her life, her children and her investments were now at risk because of what she described as the agency’s continued persecution.
On July 16, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),Apo granted a final forfeiture order in favour of the Federal Government over assets linked to Achimugu.
The forfeited assets include jewellery valued at approximately N4.65 billion, 11 luxury vehicles worth about N4.29 billion, as well as $50,000 and N30 million in cash.
Earlier, in March, the Federal High Court,Abuja also ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Achimugu and Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd after the EFCC argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Achimugu alleged that the EFCC acted maliciously by declaring her wanted despite allegedly knowing her whereabouts and maintaining correspondence with her.
She claimed that shortly after the declaration, about 30 EFCC operatives raided her residence, confiscating jewellery, safes and cash while allegedly subjecting members of her family to intimidation.
According to her, her elderly mother, who had recently returned from spinal surgery abroad, was forced to remain seated for hours during the operation despite her health condition.
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She also maintained that the $13 million forfeited by the court formed part of a $20 million payment made by Oceangate to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for petroleum prospecting licences.
Achimugu said documentary evidence had already been submitted showing that $2 million and $5 million were paid directly into NUPRC-designated accounts as part of the company’s obligations, arguing that the EFCC nevertheless continued to portray the funds as proceeds of crime.
She disclosed that the forfeiture order is currently being challenged on appeal.
She further alleged that on January 20, 2026, while her appeal and an earlier lawsuit were pending, EFCC operatives carried out a second raid on her residence and removed vehicles from the premises using cranes and flatbed trucks.
She claimed the vehicles were taken without regard for ownership or damage and that the agency subsequently secured another ex parte forfeiture order after she approached the court seeking the return of her property.
Achimugu also alleged that the EFCC influenced the revocation of her United States visa after declaring her wanted.
She said the development affected her ability to participate in a Harvard executive programme and also impacted visa applications made with her Grenadian passport.
According to her, the situation has led to the loss of significant business opportunities and further damaged her international reputation.
“I have never been known to be a troublemaker. I am not a criminal and I have never been convicted of any offence. I have never been confronted with any crime that I did not own up to,” she stated.
The EFCC has not publicly responded to Achimugu’s latest allegations. The anti-graft agency has consistently maintained that the investigations and forfeiture proceedings were carried out in accordance with the law and pursuant to orders of competent courts.
