Aisha Achimugu’s attempt to secure N10 billion in damages over an EFCC search of her residence has suffered a major setback, with the Federal High Court in Abuja ruling that the anti-graft agency had legal authority to conduct the operation.
Justice M.S. Liman dismissed the businesswoman’s fundamental rights suit on Monday, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could search her property after receiving intelligence concerning alleged criminal activities.
The decision puts the legality of the search at the centre of Achimugu’s failed bid for compensation, which also sought to protect her privacy and prevent further alleged harassment by the commission.
Achimugu had challenged the search of her residence and the seizure of vehicles, jewellery and other belongings, arguing that the commission’s actions raised questions about her fundamental rights.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, she asked the court to determine whether the EFCC acted within its statutory powers.
She also sought an order restraining the commission from allegedly threatening, harassing or invading her private residence.
But the court rejected her arguments and dismissed her demand for N10 billion in damages, finding that she and her legal representatives had not established sufficient grounds for the compensation.
According to the EFCC’s account of the judgment, Justice Liman said the commission had the right to search the residence after receiving intelligence about alleged criminal activities.
The commission also said the judge described the suit as frivolous and brought in bad faith.
EFCC counsel, Emenike Mgbemele, welcomed the ruling, describing it as being in the interest of justice. He also alleged that the action was an attempt to waste the court’s time.
The judgment represents a setback for Achimugu’s effort to obtain judicial redress over the search and seizure.
However, the ruling, as reported by the EFCC, does not establish that Achimugu committed a criminal offence.
The commission has also not publicly detailed the intelligence that prompted the search or the alleged criminal activities cited in its account of the proceedings.