Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Businesswoman and investor Aisha Achimugu has raised concerns over her safety, alleging that actions taken against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have endangered her life, family, businesses and investments.
In a statement addressed to local and international media, Achimugu appealed for the protection of her life and those of her children, respect for court orders and an end to what she described as a sustained campaign that has damaged her reputation and business interests.
She said the dispute began after her personal and corporate accounts were frozen over allegations linking her and her companies to MBA Forex and Capital Investment. She maintained that neither she nor her firms had any ownership interest in the company.
According to her, she honoured EFCC invitations alongside her legal team and her company refunded N58 million connected to a transaction conducted on behalf of MBA Forex after being informed the matter had been resolved.
Achimugu, however, alleged that despite maintaining communication with the anti-graft agency, she was later declared wanted, her residence was searched and valuables, including jewellery, safes and cash, were removed.
She further claimed that her accounts had been repeatedly frozen, forfeiture orders obtained against some assets and vehicles seized, while legal proceedings continued despite pending court cases.
The businesswoman said the developments had affected her operations in Nigeria and abroad, leading to the loss of international banking relationships, cancelled financing opportunities and reputational damage.
Achimugu stated that she had invested nearly $90 million in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the past five years, attracted more than $100 million in investments into the country and provided employment for about 200 Nigerians.
She also alleged that information circulated about her contributed to the revocation of her United States visa and affected her ability to travel using her Grenadian passport.
Calling on the National Assembly, judiciary, security agencies and human rights organisations to intervene, Achimugu said investors should not face asset seizures or public condemnation without due process and insisted she remains willing to submit to any lawful investigation.
Concluding her statement, she declared: “MY VERY EXISTENCE AND LIFE ARE IN DANGER.
“MY PRIVATE LIFE AND PRIVACY INVADED.
“THE INNOCENCE AND SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN ARE UNDER THREAT.
“THE HEALTH AND PEACE OF MY AGED PARENTS ARE BEING SACRIFICED.
“THE LIVES OF ALL MY STAFF ARE IN DANGER.
“MY IDENTITY GLOBALLY IS IN TERRIBLE DANGER.
“MY SECURITY IS IN TERRIBLE DANGER.
“MY DECADES OF INVESTMENTS IN NIGERIA ARE BEING STRANGLED.
“MY COMPANIES ARE IN DANGER.
“MY IMMIGRATION RIGHTS GLOBALLY ARE IN DANGER.
“MY REPUTATION, MY PRIVACY, AND MY DIGNITY ARE UNDER CONSTANT SIEGE.”
She ended the statement with the declaration: “MY LIFE IS AT RISK.”
