Breaking: My life, family, entire existence at risk — Aisha Achimugu

Nigerian businesswoman and investor, Aisha Achimugu, has publicly declared that her life is in danger, alleging that she has been subjected to a sustained campaign of persecution, intimidation and media trial that has threatened her safety, damaged her businesses and put her family at risk.

Achimugu raised the alarm in a lengthy statement addressed to the Nigerian and international media.

She appealed for the protection of her life, the lives of her children, her investments, respect for court orders and an end to what she described as a misleading media campaign against her and her companies.

The accountant and entrepreneur accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), under its current leadership, of orchestrating actions that she said had violated her constitutional rights and destroyed decades of business investments.

According to her, the campaign has extended beyond Nigeria, affecting her international business relationships, financial interests and immigration status.

Achimugu said she had remained silent for nearly two years out of restraint and national interest despite what she described as repeated attacks on her reputation.

She recounted a series of events beginning with the freezing of her personal and corporate bank accounts over allegations linking her to MBA Forex and Capital Investment, insisting that neither she nor her companies had any ownership interest in the firm.

She explained that after honouring EFCC invitations with her legal team, her company refunded N58 million relating to a transaction carried out on behalf of MBA Forex, adding that she was informed the issue had been resolved.

Achimugu further alleged that despite maintaining communication with the anti-graft agency regarding invitations for questioning, she was later declared wanted, her residence searched and valuables including jewellery, safes and cash removed.

She also accused the EFCC of repeatedly freezing her accounts, obtaining forfeiture orders against her assets, seizing her vehicles and continuing legal actions against her while several court cases remained pending.

According to her, the actions have resulted in the loss of international banking relationships, cancelled financing opportunities and reputational damage that has affected her businesses both in Nigeria and abroad.

Achimugu said she had invested almost $90 million in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the last five years and attracted more than $100 million in investments into the country, while employing close to 200 Nigerians and funding several humanitarian projects through the Sam Empowerment Foundation.

She also claimed that information circulated about her led to the revocation of her United States visa and negatively affected her ability to travel on her Grenadian passport.

Calling on the National Assembly, the Judiciary, security agencies, local and international human rights organisations and Nigeria’s development partners to intervene, Achimugu said legitimate investors should not be subjected to asset seizures and public condemnation without due process.

She maintained that she remains committed to Nigeria and has confidence in the country’s judiciary, while insisting she is prepared to face any lawful investigation conducted in accordance with the Constitution.

Concluding her statement, Achimugu issued an emotional appeal, declaring:

“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.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖