EFCC declares Ms Achimugu wanted over money laundering

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared socialite Aisha Achimugu wanted for alleged money laundering. Ms Achimugu is believed to be close to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Indeed, the notice by the EFCC stated that, “The public is hereby notified that Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.”

This declaration of Ms Achimugu wanted comes two days after a media report indicated that anti-graft agents discovered Mr Sanwo-Olu, through Ms Achimugu, allegedly piped public funds to Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Indications are that Ms Achimugu might have funded Messrs Obi and Abubakar around the 2023 elections after she was identified as a key smurfer for Mr Sanwo-Olu.

“The agents didn’t stop at identifying how the woman was helping the Lagos governor move money abroad; they also tried to understand how she might have moved money within the country,” an official said.

“That was how they found she delivered some money to two opposition leaders after the presidential election.”

The anti-graft agency announced it had obtained a warrant of arrest and prepared to declare Ms Achimugu wanted over alleged money laundering and investment scam.

It was learnt that Ms Achimugu, an associate of Mr Sanwo-Olu, allegedly fled Nigeria after she was scheduled to meet with the anti-graft agency for investigation over the allegations.

Officials also noted Ms Achimugu might have distributed the money after the election as part of a compromise to aid Mr Sanwo-Olu’s reelection after Mr Tinubu’s sensational defeat in Lagos.

The media aide to Mr Atiku, Paul Ibe, who issued the statement, pushed back against The Gazette’s report that Mr Sanwo-Olu gave money to the former vice-president for his 2023 presidential election campaign.

Sources indicated that intelligence briefing received would appear to have confirmed these fears.

Mr Paul Ibe, who has served for years as Mr Abubakar’s chief spokesman, repeatedly denied the story.

A statement issued by Ibe sought to absolve his principal from any link to the incident, describing the controversy as part of a purported plot by the presidency to undermine Mr Abubakar and other opposition figures ahead of the 2027.