Court dismisses Aisha Achimugu’s fundamental rights suit

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, dismissed a fundamental human rights suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court dismissed the suit because Achimugu and her legal representatives failed to show reason to warrant the kind of damage she demanded from the EFCC.

Daily Trust reports that Achimugu had approached the court for determination of whether the defendant, EFCC’s action of searching her house and seizing her cars, jewelries and other items was within the powers of the Commission.

In the originating summon of the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, part of her claim was for the court to award the sum of N10bn damage against the EFCC for what she described as “invasion of her privacy”.

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However, delivering his judgment in the suit, Justice M. S. Liman dismissed the suit and held that the defendant has the power to search the plaintiff’s property after receiving intelligence on the alleged criminal activities of the plaintiff.

On the whole, Justice Liman agreed that there was nothing that should have stopped the EFCC from carrying out its statutory duties, while equally dismissing the request for N10 billion damages.

“EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge ruled.

The court, therefore, held that the matter lacked merit and dismissed it because “it is frivolous and it was brought in bad faith”.

The damage she sought was also denied.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the EFCC, Emenike Mgbemele, said it was in the interest of justice, adding that the suit was a ploy to waste the time of the court.