Businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, has refuted claims that $13 million was recovered from her residence during a raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, insisting that only $50,000 and N13 million were found.
Achimugu made the clarification on Monday during an interview on Channels Television, describing the widely circulated figure as inaccurate.
The EFCC had earlier declared her wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. In March, a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to her firm, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, to the Federal Government.
The commission alleged that the company obtained the funds through unlicensed Bureau de Change operators and bank officials, suspecting them to be proceeds of unlawful activities used to pay signature bonuses for oil blocks acquired in 2024.
Reacting to the claims, Achimugu declined detailed comments on the $13 million forfeiture, citing the ongoing court proceedings, but maintained that no such amount was found in her residence.
“My house was raided, but only $50,000 and N13 million belonging to my mother, along with my personal belongings, were recovered. I am not a bank to keep $13 million at home,” she said.
She added that keeping foreign currency was necessary for emergencies, noting that her children study abroad.
The businesswoman also questioned the credibility of certain information published on the EFCC’s website, stating that it did not constitute a formal legal position communicated to her.
On the acquisition of the disputed oil blocks, she explained that her company participated in the Federal Government’s oil licensing rounds between 2022 and 2024, describing the process as transparent and competitive.
“We went through the process and emerged successful. It was open and not selective,” she said.
The case remains before the court.
