Businesswoman and socialite Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday on suspicion of being involved in a dubious oil block deal worth N8.71 billion.
The Nation was informed by Commission sources that Achimugu would be charged in court today after a rigorous eight-hour interrogation session with EFCC detectives in Abuja…
When she arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja early on Tuesday morning from London, the troubled CEO of Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited was taken into custody.
The Federal High Court in Abuja’s Justice I.E. Ekwo ordered her to appear before the EFCC on April 29 and the court today, April 30, and she was arrested the day after that.
136 Bank Accounts Are Being Examined
Chris Odofin, an EFCC investigator, testified an affidavit stating that Achimugu is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, false pretenses, and ownership of property suspected of having been obtained illegally.
According to information provided by the EFCC, Achimugu manages 136 bank accounts with 10 different banks, many of which are corporate. It is expected to account for the type and source of transactions that occur across these accounts.
Investigators were reportedly informed by Achimugu that the 8.71 billion naira in question was a “investment fund” for her company’s purchase of two oil blocks: Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO and Shallow Water PPL 3007.
With supporting evidence from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), she asserted that the money had been moved to a government account.
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But according to EFCC investigations, the $25.3 million payment for the oil blocks was made through bureau de change operators, which raised questions about the acquisition process’s openness and the sources of the money.
Probably Going to Court Today
After hours of detention, Achimugu might be transported straight to court, according to an EFCC source.
Over the past eight hours, Achimugu has been subjected to interrogation. She will probably be detained. As per the court’s current ruling, we might bring her to the court from custody,” the source continued.
Achimugu had already broken her bail conditions, thus the officer said that the court would have the final say over any bail request.
Achimugu’s profile and the magnitude of the alleged financial violations drew legal and public attention when the EFCC proclaimed her sought in March.
