The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected Abuja-based businesswoman Aisha Achimugu’s demand for N10 billion in damages against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a search of her residence and the seizure of her belongings.
Justice M.S. Liman dismissed the fundamental rights suit on Monday, ruling that the anti-graft agency had the statutory authority to search her property after receiving intelligence about alleged criminal activities.
Achimugu had approached the court to challenge the search of her residence and the seizure of vehicles, jewellery and other belongings by the EFCC.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, she asked the court to determine whether the commission’s actions were within its legal powers.
She also sought protection of her fundamental rights to privacy and an order restraining the EFCC from allegedly threatening, harassing or invading her private residence.
The businesswoman further demanded N10 billion in compensation, describing the search as an invasion of her privacy.
However, Justice Liman ruled that the EFCC had the right to search the residence after receiving intelligence concerning alleged criminal activities.
“The EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge said, according to an account of the judgment issued by the commission.
The court also rejected her claim for damages, holding that Achimugu and her legal representatives had failed to establish sufficient grounds for the compensation sought.
Justice Liman further ruled that there was no adequate basis to restrain the commission from carrying out its statutory responsibilities and dismissed the suit for lacking merit.
The EFCC described the action as frivolous and brought in bad faith, according to its statement.
Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel Emenike Mgbemele welcomed the decision, saying it was in the interest of justice.
Mgbemele also alleged that the suit was an attempt to waste the court’s time.
The ruling marks a legal setback for Achimugu’s attempt to obtain compensation and judicial relief over the search and seizure.
However, the EFCC did not disclose further details about the intelligence that prompted the operation or the alleged criminal activities referenced in the account of the judgment.
The dismissal of the suit does not, by itself, establish that Achimugu committed any criminal offence.
