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 the seizure of her belongings.
The EFCC announced the development in a statement on Monday, saying Justice M.S. Liman ruled against the suit challenging the commission’s actions.
According to the commission, Achimugu instituted the case to determine whether the EFCC acted within its legal powers when it searched her home and seized her cars, jewellery and other items.
The statement read, “In the originating suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu approached the court for determination of whether the defendant, EFCC’s action of searching her house and seizing her cars and jewelries and other items was within the powers of the Commission.”
The businesswoman also asked the court to protect her right to privacy and issue an order preventing the anti-graft agency from allegedly threatening or harassing her or 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.
As part of the suit, Achimugu demanded N10bn in damages from the commission, alleging that its actions amounted to an invasion of her privacy.
However, the EFCC said Justice Liman held that the commission was authorised to search her residence after receiving intelligence relating to her alleged criminal activities.
“EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge was quoted as saying in the statement.
The commission further reported that the court found insufficient grounds to support the damages claimed by Achimugu and her legal team.
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“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 added that the court maintained that there was no legal obstacle preventing it from performing its statutory responsibilities.
“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 ruling, 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.