A federal high court has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release businesswoman Aisha Achimugu from detention within 24 hours. The order follows days of public protest against her prolonged detention without adequate charges.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling in Abuja, warned the EFCC not to overlook the constitution. In his opinion, holding a citizen in custody without a court warrant or legal basis violates fundamental human rights.
Achimugu was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected financial crimes. The details of the offense have yet to be officially released, although sources say the investigation involves suspected misappropriation of public funds.
Her lawyers filed a motion for her release, arguing that she had not been arraigned before any court and had spent more time than the law would allow. They argued that what the EFCC did was illegal detention.
Flash back to earlier events, Achimugu was reported to have embarked on hunger strike in detention protesting against her arrest. That move caught the eye of human rights activists and further pressure on the EFCC to uphold due process.
The EFCC lawyers retaliated by arguing that she was lawfully detained for purposes of ongoing investigations. The court disagreed, however, and instructed the commission to either charge her or release her immediately.
The judge also cautioned security agencies to be mindful of the rights of individuals under investigation, stating that detention should never be used as punishment without trial.
As of now, the EFCC has not made any public comment on the court’s decision. Lawyers watching the case believe the commission may cooperate or try to appeal the verdict based on how its probe goes.
The case is increasingly testing the way Nigeria’s anti-corruption authorities handle high-profile arrests and reasserts the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law.
