News

Court Rules On Achimugu’s ₦10 Billion Lawsuit Against EFCC

Published October 12, 2026 at 4:58 PM

Key Takeaways

Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu’s fundamental rights suit against the EFCC on October 10, 2026.
Achimugu had challenged the EFCC’s search of her house and seizure of cars, jewellery and other items, and demanded ₦10 billion damages for alleged privacy invasion.
Justice Liman ruled the EFCC could search her property after intelligence on alleged criminal activities, called the suit frivolous and in bad faith, and counsel, Emenike Mgbemele, welcomed the verdict.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental human rights suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Naija News reports that in the originating suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu approached the court for determination of whether EFCC’s action of searching her house and seizing her cars and jewelries and other items was within the powers of the Commission.

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.

Part of her claim was for the court to award a ₦10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) damage against the EFCC for what she described as invasion of her privacy.

Delivering judgment in the suit on Monday, October 10, 2026, Justice M.S. Liman dismissed the suit and held that the defendant has the power to search the plaintiff’s property after receiving intelligence on the alleged criminal activities of the plaintiff.

“EFCC has the right to search the residence,” he said.

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 ₦10 billion damages.

On the whole, Justice Liman agreed that there was nothing that should have stopped the EFCC from carrying out its statutory duties.

The court therefore held that the matter lacked merit and was dismissed because “it is frivolous and it was brought in bad faith”.

Justice Liman also dismissed the damage Aisha Achimugu sought.