By Oloye Ray
For businesswoman and founder of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, Aisha Achimugu, the legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has become more than an investigation—it is, in her view, a fight to reclaim her reputation, protect her family and preserve the business she spent years building.
In a strongly worded statement, Achimugu accused the anti-graft agency of persecution, intimidation and abuse of legal process, alleging that its actions have caused severe damage to her personal and professional life.
“I have never been known to be a troublemaker. I am not a criminal and I have never been convicted of any offence,” she declared, insisting that she has always conducted her affairs within the bounds of the law.
According to Achimugu, the EFCC has subjected her to what she described as sustained harassment despite her willingness to cooperate with investigators. She alleged that the commission has engaged in “oppression, character assassination, intimidation and the deliberate dissipation of my lawfully acquired personal property.”
She further claimed that the agency’s actions have endangered her life, put her children and investments at risk, and crippled the operations of her company.
Beyond the legal arguments, Achimugu painted a picture of the personal cost of the controversy. She alleged that repeated public statements and legal actions by the EFCC have unfairly portrayed her as a criminal in the eyes of the public, leading to reputational damage and the loss of valuable business opportunities.
For entrepreneurs whose businesses often depend on trust, partnerships and investor confidence, public allegations can have lasting consequences even before the conclusion of legal proceedings. Achimugu argues that this has been her experience, saying years of hard work and business relationships have been undermined by the ongoing dispute.
She called on the authorities to uphold due process and respect her constitutional rights, maintaining that investigations should be conducted fairly and without prejudice.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC had not publicly responded to Achimugu’s latest allegations. The commission has previously maintained that it carries out its investigations in accordance with the law and in pursuit of its mandate to combat economic and financial crimes.
The dispute underscores the delicate balance between the state’s responsibility to investigate alleged financial misconduct and the rights of individuals to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court. As the legal process continues, the outcome is expected to determine not only the future of the case but also the competing claims surrounding it.
