The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the search of her residence and the seizure of her belongings.
Achimugu had approached the court to challenge the commission’s search of her home and seizure of her vehicles, jewellery and other personal possessions. She asked the court to determine whether the EFCC acted within its legal powers and whether its actions violated her fundamental right to privacy.
The businesswoman also sought an order restraining the commission from allegedly threatening, harassing or unlawfully invading her private residence. As part of her claims, she demanded ₦10 billion in damages for what she described as an invasion of her privacy.
Delivering judgment on Monday, 12 October 2026, Justice Musa Liman held that the EFCC had the authority to search Achimugu’s residence after receiving intelligence concerning alleged criminal activities.
“The EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge said.
The court further ruled that Achimugu and her legal representatives had failed to establish sufficient grounds to justify the compensation sought. Consequently, the judge rejected her ₦10 billion damages claim, maintaining that there was no adequate basis to prevent the commission from carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
Justice Liman dismissed the suit for lacking merit, describing it as frivolous and brought in bad faith.
Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel Emenike Mgbemele welcomed the decision, describing it as being in the interest of justice. He also characterised the suit as an attempt to waste the court’s time.
BACKGROUND TO THE CASE
The legal dispute comes amid investigations by the EFCC into Achimugu’s financial dealings.
In a separate proceeding in July 2026, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of assets valued at approximately ₦8.9 billion and linked to the businesswoman.
The assets included jewellery valued at about ₦4.65 billion, 11 luxury vehicles worth approximately ₦4.29 billion, $50,000 and ₦30 million in cash.
The forfeiture order followed an application by the EFCC, which argued that the assets were connected to unlawful activities. The court granted the commission’s application and ordered that the properties and cash be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The dismissal of the ₦10 billion suit marks a further legal development in the dispute between Achimugu and the anti-graft agency over its investigative actions and the seizure of her property.
