Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Asokoro, Abuja residence of embattled Aisha Achimugu, on Friday night, over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
The EFCC operatives, who arrived at her residence around 9 p.m. for a search, did not find Ms Aisha Achimugu at home. However, her aged mother, children, and domestic staff were present during the operation, which was witnessed by our correspondent.
Earlier that day, the EFCC published an official gazette calling on the public to assist with information regarding her whereabouts. The notice read: “The public is hereby notified that AISHA SULAIMAN ACHIMUGU, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Criminal Conspiracy and Money Laundering. Achimugu, 51, is an indigene of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State and her last known address is: 6C, Rudolf Close, Maitama, Abuja.”
The notice further urged anyone with useful information to “contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: [email protected] or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”
This latest development comes approximately 12 days after this newspaper reported that the commission was preparing to declare her a fugitive following her failure to honour an invitation for interrogation scheduled for 5 March.
Instead of appearing before EFCC investigators, Ms Achimugu reportedly fled the country. The agency subsequently published an official gazette on Friday, complete with her photograph, last known address, and state of origin.
Prior to this, one David Abakpa, who identified himself as her aide, had released a media statement attempting to refute reports of her arrest or investigation by the EFCC. In that statement, he acknowledged that she had left Nigeria but blamed “unscrupulous elements” for fuelling speculation about her alleged investigation.
