Anti-graft War: EFCC Snags Another “Big Fish”

● Final forfeiture of Aisha Achimugu’s N8.9bn jewelries, exotic cars, dollars and cash

Barely 48 hours after the EFCC seized 48 choice houses linked to ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, the commission has struck again.

This time, the net closed on businesswoman Ms. Aisha Achimugu.

On Thursday, Justice Jude Onwugbuzie of the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja signed the final forfeiture order handing over more than N8.9 billion in assets to the Federal Government.

The gavel fell. Another empire, built on paper, collapsed.

—The loot: glitz, speed, and cash—

The court ordered the final forfeiture of:
– Jewelries worth N4,645,170,294.9 — diamonds, gold, and high-end pieces
– 11 exotic cars worth N4,293,000,000— luxury brands seized from her residences
– $50,000 in foreign currency
– N30,000,000 in case

—How the trail began—

It started with a red flag. Financial intelligence alerted EFCC to over 136 bank accounts*l linked to Achimugu.

Billions of naira and millions of dollars were flowing in and out.

EFCC investigators dug deeper. The companies she operated never declared those huge inflows as revenue in filings submitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The money, EFCC said, had no legitimate business origin.

Operatives then executed searches at her residence. That’s where the jewelries, the fleet of exotic cars, the dollars, and the cash were recovered.

When interrogated, she was handed an Assets Declaration Form. She filled it. But the recovered assets? Nowhere on the form.

—Courtroom battle—

EFCC’s legal team, led by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, went to court under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.

On April 23, 2026, Justice Onwugbuzie granted an interim forfeiture and ordered EFCC to publish it in national dailies. Anyone with a claim had 14 days to “show cause.”

Achimugu fought back. Through her lawyers, she filed affidavits and a motion to set aside the interim order.

EFCC countered with its own affidavit.

After arguments, the judge adjourned for judgment.

—The final blow—

On July 16, 2026, Justice Onwugbuzie delivered his verdict.

He held that Achimugu failed to dislodge EFCC’s evidence. She also failed to prove the assets came from lawful sources.

Final forfeiture granted. Everything goes to the Federal Government.

—What it means—

The forfeiture comes on the heels of Wednesday’s seizure of 48 properties linked to former AGF Malami. For EFCC, it’s back-to-back wins in its anti-graft push.

For Achimugu, it’s the end of a run that investigators say was fueled by hidden billions.

The EFCC says the war is far from over. The next “big fish” may already be on the radar.