Aisha Achimugu, a businesswoman, has denied rumors that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission raided her home a huge sum of money linked in ownership and influence to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state.
In an interview with Channels Television on Monday, and monitored by ENigeria Newspaper, Achimugu also clarified that only N13 million and $50,000 awere indeed discovered, and not $13 million as reports have circulated.
“But let me also correct an impression that $13 million was not found in my house when my house was raided”, she said.
Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million associated with her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Ltd., to the Federal Government in March after the EFCC had proclaimed her sought last year on charges of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Achimugu insisted that the amount was incorrect but declined to elaborate, stating that the matter was already before the court.
“First, I won’t go so much into the detail of $13 million. As you know, it’s a matter in court. It will be prejudice for me to talk about, you know, what’s already in court. And I still believe strongly in our judicial system in Nigeria. So I know that the right decisions will be made at the due time”, she said.
“My house was raided, yes, but only $50,000 and N13 million naira belonging to my mom was found in my house, and then again, my personal belonging.
“I don’t know where Nigerians got the impression that I had $13 million in my house. I’m not a bank, so I won’t keep $13 million in my house. I have kids who go to school abroad, so it’s important that you have those currencies kept away for emergencies.”
In response to Sanwo-Olu’s attendance at her birthday, which demonstrated her well-established access to political power, Achimugu contended that her connections were a result of her success rather than its source.
“I have always had access to power and governance. I’m a known Nigerian. I have friends, and I have done well. I have not done anything that will make anyone stay away from me,” she said.
Who is Aisha Achimugu?
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that Aisha Achimugu, an ally of Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was summoned to appear at the EFCC Port Harcourt office on March 5 over alleged money laundering and a high-profile investment scam.
The letter, dated March 4 and signed by the EFCC’s acting zonal director in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Adebayo Adeniyi, was sent to Achimugu’s residential address in Abuja.
The businesswoman attracted national attractaction when she threw a lavish seven-day 50th birthday celebration on the Caribbean Island of Grenada in January 2024, and had Nigeria’s political and entertainment elite, including Governor Sanwo-Olu, in attendance.
