The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested businesswoman and socialite Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu on Tuesday on suspicion of being involved in a questionable N8.71 billion oil block transaction.
Achimugu may be arraigned in court today after a rigorous eight-hour interrogation session with EFCC investigators in Abuja, Commission sources told The Nation.
When the troubled CEO of Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja early on Tuesday morning from London, she was taken into custody.
She was arrested the day after Federal High Court in Abuja Justice I.E. Ekwo ordered her to appear before the EFCC on April 29 and the court today, April 30.
136 Bank Accounts Are Being Investigated
An affidavit submitted by EFCC investigator Chris Odofin states that Achimugu is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, false pretenses, and possession of property thought to have been obtained illegally.
Achimugu is asked to account for the type and source of transactions across its 136 bank accounts, which are spread among ten banks, many of which are corporate, according to the EFCC.
According to reports, Achimugu informed investigators 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.
She provided evidence from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to back her assertion that the money was moved to a government account.
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The $25.3 million payment for the oil blocks, however, was made through bureau de change operators, according to EFCC investigations, which raised questions about the acquisition process’s openness and funding sources.
Probable Court Attendance Today
Achimugu had been detained for hours and might be sent straight to court, according to an EFCC source.
Achimugu has spent the previous eight hours being questioned thus far. We’ll probably hold her. In accordance with the court’s current order, we might bring her to the court from custody,” the source stated.
The officer added that since Achimugu had already broken her bail conditions, the court would have the final say over any bail request.
Because of her profile and the severity of the alleged financial violations, Achimugu attracted legal and public attention when the EFCC declared her wanted in March.
