The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N10bn fundamental rights suit filed by businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the search of her residence and the seizure of vehicles, jewellery and other belongings.
Justice M.S. Liman, in a judgment delivered on Monday, October 12, 2026, ruled that the anti-graft agency had the statutory authority to search Achimugu’s property after receiving intelligence about alleged criminal activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, challenged the legality of the EFCC’s actions and sought to establish whether the commission had acted within its powers when it searched the businesswoman’s home and seized her possessions.
Achimugu also asked the court to enforce her right to privacy and restrain the commission from allegedly threatening, harassing or invading her residence. She sought N10bn in damages over what she described as an infringement of her rights.
However, Justice Liman held that the EFCC was entitled to search the residence, stating, “EFCC has the right to search the residence.”
The judge further ruled that Achimugu and her legal team had failed to establish sufficient grounds to justify the compensation demanded from the commission. He consequently rejected her claim for N10bn in damages.
In dismissing the suit, the court held that there was no basis to prevent the EFCC from carrying out its statutory responsibilities. The judge described the action as lacking merit, saying it was “frivolous and it was brought in bad faith”.
Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel Emenike Mgbemele welcomed the decision, describing it as being in the interest of justice. He also argued that the suit had been intended to waste the court’s time.
