The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights suit filed by businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the search of her residence and seizure of her properties.
The EFCC disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying Justice M.S. Liman dismissed the suit in which Achimugu challenged the commission’s actions.
According to the statement, Achimugu filed the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, seeking the court’s determination of whether the EFCC acted within its powers when it searched her residence and seized her cars, jewellery and other belongings.
The businesswoman also sought to enforce her right to privacy and obtain an order restraining the commission from allegedly threatening or harassing her and invading her private residence.
“Achimugu also asked the court to enforce her rights to privacy, including an order of the court restraining the defendant from threatening or harassing and invading her private residence,” the EFCC stated.
She further demanded N10 billion in damages from the commission over what she described as an invasion of her privacy.
The EFCC said Justice Liman held that the commission had the power to search Achimugu’s residence after receiving intelligence concerning her alleged criminal activities.
“EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge was quoted as saying in the statement.
The commission added that the judge found that Achimugu and her legal representatives had failed to establish sufficient grounds to justify the damages she sought.
“The judge said that Achimugu and her legal representatives failed to show reason to warrant the kind of damage she demanded from the EFCC and equally dismissed the request for N10 billion damages,” the statement read.
The EFCC also quoted the court as holding that there was nothing to prevent it from carrying out its statutory duties.
“The court therefore held that the matter lacked merit and was dismissed because ‘it is frivolous and it was brought in bad faith’,” the statement added.
Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel Emenike Mgbemele described the decision as being in the interest of justice. He also characterised the suit as an attempt to waste the court’s time.