According to the EFCC, Achimugu allegedly funneled $25.3 million through bureau de change operators to bribe regulatory officials and secure interests in petroleum prospecting licenses PPL 3007 and PPL 302-DO.
The EFCC investigation revealed that Achimugu and her affiliated companies were linked to 136 bank accounts, which were allegedly used to facilitate suspicious financial flows.
The commission accused her of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and illicit acquisition of offshore oil assets. Achimugu’s company, Oceangate Oil and Gas Engineering, had signed a $1.8 billion oil deal with Global Petroleum Group (GPG) to develop oil and gas resources in offshore blocks near Grenada.
A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favor of the EFCC, lifting a previous injunction that barred the commission from investigating Achimugu. The court also upheld an interim order for the forfeiture of assets linked to Achimugu, citing reasonable suspicion of financial crime.
Response from Achimugu’s Team
Achimugu’s spokesperson dismissed reports of her arrest as “fake news” and part of a coordinated smear campaign. He claimed she is currently abroad on a business trip and cooperating with authorities through her legal team.
The EFCC denied any political motivation behind the investigation, stating that it is evidence-based and apolitical. The commission urged the public to focus on facts and support its anti-corruption efforts.
