The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the search of her residence and seizure of her belongings.
The court also rejected Achimugu’s demand for ₦10 billion in damages, ruling that she and her legal team failed to establish sufficient grounds to justify the claim.
Delivering judgment on Monday, October 12, 2026, Justice Musa Liman held that the EFCC was empowered to search the businesswoman’s residence after receiving intelligence concerning alleged criminal activities.
“The EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge said.
Justice Liman consequently dismissed the suit, holding that there was no sufficient basis to prevent the anti-graft agency from carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
The judge described the case as lacking merit, stating that it was “frivolous and it was brought in bad faith”.
Why Aisha Achimugu Sued the EFCC
Achimugu had approached the court to challenge the EFCC’s search of her residence and the seizure of her vehicles, jewellery and other personal belongings.
In the suit, she asked the court to determine whether the commission’s actions fell within its statutory powers.
The businesswoman also sought the enforcement of her fundamental right to privacy and an order restraining the EFCC from threatening, harassing or unlawfully invading her private residence.
She demanded ₦10 billion in damages, describing the search and seizure as an invasion of her privacy.
However, Justice Liman held that the EFCC had the authority to conduct the search based on intelligence relating to alleged criminal activities. The court also found that the claimants had not established sufficient grounds for the damages sought.
EFCC Welcomes Court Judgment
The EFCC welcomed the ruling, describing it as a decision in the interest of justice.
The commission also characterised the suit as an attempt to waste the court’s time.
The judgment represents a legal victory for the anti-graft agency in its dispute with the businesswoman over the search of her residence and the seizure of her property.
Court Orders Final Forfeiture of ₦8.9bn Assets Linked to Achimugu
The ruling comes months after another court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of assets valued at approximately ₦8.9 billion linked to Achimugu to the Federal Government.
In July 2026, Justice Jude Onwugbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, granted the final forfeiture order following an application filed by the EFCC.
The assets included jewellery valued at ₦4.65 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth ₦4.29 billion, $50,000 and ₦30 million in cash.
The EFCC had asked the court to permanently forfeit the properties to the Federal Government, arguing that they were linked to unlawful activities.
The court granted the application, ordering the final forfeiture of the assets.
The two court decisions concern separate proceedings: the Federal High Court judgment addressed Achimugu’s fundamental rights claim against the EFCC, while the FCT High Court ruling concerned the final forfeiture of assets linked to the businesswoman.
What the Court’s Decision Means
The Federal High Court’s dismissal means Achimugu’s ₦10 billion damages claim, as presented in the suit, was unsuccessful. The court accepted the EFCC’s authority to conduct the search in the circumstances described in the judgment.
The decision comes amid continuing legal proceedings involving the anti-graft agency and assets linked to the businesswoman.