The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release businesswoman Aisha Achimugu within 24 hours.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the ruling after Achimugu was brought to court by EFCC operatives earlier in the day.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo instructed that the EFCC comply with the order to release Achimugu.
Ekwo also instructed the agency to appear before the court on May 2, to provide an update on the implementation of the order.
Achimugu, who was escorted by two female EFCC officers, arrived at the court at approximately 11:35 am.
The court had previously ordered the EFCC to bring her to court following her arrest on Tuesday, shortly after her return from London.
She was arrested around 5 am upon her arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Achimugu, an industrialist, faces allegations, including criminal conspiracy, money laundering, obtaining money by false pretenses, corruption and possessing assets suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.
EFCC had previously arrested and questioned her but released her on administrative bail. However, the agency later accused her of jumping bail, leading to her being declared wanted.
The EFCC’s investigation into Achimugu’s affairs includes her involvement in the acquisition of two oil blocs through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited.
The agency claims that Achimugu, through alleged corrupt practices, acquired the oil blocs for $25.3 million, primarily paid in cash to Bureau De Change operators who then made payments to the government.
According to the EFCC’s affidavit, investigations revealed that the $25.3 million used in acquiring the oil blocs could not be traced to any lawful income or business partner of Achimugu.
The anti-graft agency also accused her of paying bribes to officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission during the process.
The EFCC’s investigation further uncovered that Achimugu controls a total of 136 bank accounts across 10 different banks, both in her personal and corporate names.
