Businesswoman Aisha Achimugu has declared a hunger strike while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following her arrest by operatives of the commission.
In a statement on Tuesday, her legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, said Achimugu was arrested at about 5 a.m. at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon her return to Nigeria.
The EFCC had in March declared Achimugu wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Her arrest came a day after Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered her to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday and also attend court proceedings on Wednesday.
According to Ojukwu, Achimugu voluntarily returned from London to comply with the court order and to honour the EFCC’s invitation.
He emphasised that her legal representatives had already informed the court of her planned visit to the EFCC.
“In the light of what transpired in court on Monday, our client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honour the EFCC’s invitation but was arrested at the airport.”
“She has immediately gone on a hunger strike. She is a prisoner of conscience and our stand in the arrest is that it has run contrary to the rule of law,” Ojukwu said.
Aisha Achimugu is a business magnate, serves as the group managing director and CEO of Felak Concept Group, a conglomerate with interests in engineering, maritime, oil and gas and information technology.
She is expected to appear before the Federal High Court on Wednesday, April 30.
