The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the search of her residence and the seizure of vehicles, jewellery and other items.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu had asked the court to determine whether the anti-graft agency acted within its statutory powers when it searched her residence and seized her belongings.
She also sought the enforcement of her right to privacy and an order restraining the EFCC from allegedly threatening, harassing or invading her private residence.
As part of her demands, the businesswoman asked the court to award her N10 billion in damages over what she described as an invasion of her privacy.
Delivering judgment on Monday, October 12, 2026, Justice M.S. Liman held that the EFCC had the power to search the plaintiff’s property after receiving intelligence concerning her alleged criminal activities.
“The EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge said.
Justice Liman also held that Achimugu and her legal representatives had failed to establish sufficient grounds to justify the damages sought against the commission.
The judge consequently rejected her claim for N10 billion in compensation, maintaining that there was no legal basis to prevent the EFCC from performing its statutory duties in the circumstances presented before the court.
The court dismissed the suit for lacking merit, describing it as “frivolous” and saying it had been “brought in bad faith”.
Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel Emenike Mgbemele welcomed the decision, describing it as being in the interest of justice.
“The judgment is in the interest of justice,” he said, adding that the suit was a ploy to waste the time of the court.
The court’s decision represents a legal victory for the EFCC in the dispute over its search of Achimugu’s residence and the seizure of her property.