Businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, has refuted reports that $13 million was recovered from her residence during a raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, insisting that only $50,000 and N13 million were found.
Achimugu made the clarification on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television, where she described the widely circulated figure as inaccurate.
The anti-graft agency had earlier declared her wanted over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Subsequently, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to her firm, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Ltd, to the Federal Government in March.
According to the commission, the company allegedly worked with unlicensed Bureau de Change operators and some bank officials to obtain large sums of cash suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The funds were reportedly used to pay signature bonuses for two oil blocks acquired in 2024.
Reacting to the claim, Achimugu said the matter was already before the court and declined to provide extensive details, citing the need to avoid prejudice to ongoingg proceedings.
She, however, maintained that the reported $13 million recovery from her residence was incorrect.
She explained that although her home was searched, the only cash found was $50,000 alongside N13 million, which she said belonged to her mother, in addition to her personal effects.
Achimugu also questioned the credibility of a statement published on the EFCC’s website, noting that it lacked clarity, particularly regarding the location referenced, and should not be treated as a definitive legal position.
On the acquisition of the disputed oil blocks, she stated that her company followed due process, participating in the Federal Government’s licensing rounds conducted between 2022 and 2024, including deep offshore and mini bid exercises, and emerged successful through what she described as a transparent and competitive process.