The court dismissed Aisha Achimugu’s N10 billion compensation claim against the EFCC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which she challenged the search of her residence and confiscation of her property and demanded N10 billion in damages.

The commission announced the development in a statement on Monday, stating that Judge MS Liman dismissed the human rights action after considering the issues raised in the case.

According to the EFCC, Achimugu filed the lawsuit to question the legality of the commission’s search of his house and the seizure of his vehicles, jewellery, and other items.

The statement read, “In the original complaint numbered: FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu applied to the court to determine whether the defendant, the actions of the EFCC in searching his house and confiscating his car, jewelery and other items were within the jurisdiction of the Commission.”

The businesswoman also asked the court to protect her constitutional right to privacy and prevent anti-graft agencies from allegedly intimidating or entering her residence unlawfully.

“Achimugu also asked the court to enforce his right to privacy, including the court order to restrain the accused from threats or harassment and invasion of his private residence,” the EFCC said.

Apart from seeking protection of his fundamental rights, Achimugu is demanding compensation of N10 billion for what he described as a breach of his privacy.

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However, the commission said that Judge Liman retained his authority to search the businesswoman’s residence, citing intelligence they received regarding her alleged criminal activities.

“The EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Commission further stated that the court did not find sufficient grounds to support the compensation requested by Achimugu and his legal team.

“The judge said that Achimugu and his legal representatives failed to show cause to warrant the damages he demanded from the EFCC and both rejected his request for N10 billion in damages,” the statement read.

According to the EFCC, the court also ruled that there was no legal basis preventing the commission from carrying out its legal responsibilities.

“Therefore, the court decided that the case was without merit and dismissed it because it was ‘not serious and was filed in bad faith,'” the statement added.

Reacting to the decision, EFCC counsel Emenike Mgbemele welcomed the decision, describing it as a victory for justice.

He also considered this action to be an attempt to waste judicial time.

The decision marks a setback to Achimugu’s legal challenge to the commission’s search and seizure operations, as well as his demand for N10 billion in damages.