Court grants EFCC’s application to permanently confiscate luxury jewellery, exotic vehicles and cash allegedly linked to unlawful activities.
By A1NEWS International
ABUJA, Nigeria – July 16, 2026
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of assets valued at approximately ₦8.9 billion linked to prominent businesswoman Aisha Achimugu in favour of the Federal Government.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Jude Onwugbuzie, followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities and should be permanently forfeited under Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws.
The judgment represents another significant legal victory for the EFCC in its ongoing efforts to recover assets allegedly acquired through illicit means, although the court’s decision relates to civil forfeiture proceedings and is distinct from any determination of criminal liability.
Court Grants EFCC’s Application
Delivering judgment in Abuja, Justice Onwugbuzie upheld the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture after considering the evidence presented by the anti-graft agency.
The court consequently ordered that all the identified assets be permanently transferred to the Federal Government.
The EFCC had maintained that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and therefore liable to forfeiture under applicable laws.
The ruling effectively concludes the forfeiture proceedings unless successfully challenged through the appellate process.
Assets Worth ₦8.9 Billion Forfeited
According to court records presented by the EFCC, the forfeited assets comprise luxury items, vehicles and cash collectively valued at about ₦8.9 billion.
The assets include:
- Jewellery valued at approximately ₦4.65 billion;
- Eleven exotic vehicles estimated at ₦4.29 billion;
- US$50,000 in cash; and
- ₦30 million in cash.
The court ordered that all the listed assets be forfeited to the Federal Government.
EFCC’s Case Before the Court
The anti-graft commission argued that investigations established sufficient legal grounds to justify the permanent forfeiture of the assets.
According to the EFCC, the assets were linked to unlawful activities and should not remain in private possession.
The commission urged the court to convert the earlier interim forfeiture orders into final forfeiture orders after satisfying all procedural requirements under the law.
Justice Onwugbuzie agreed with the commission’s submissions and granted the application.
Understanding Civil Asset Forfeiture
Legal experts note that civil forfeiture proceedings differ from criminal prosecutions.
Under Nigerian law, courts may order the forfeiture of assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities where statutory conditions are met, even where criminal proceedings are separate or ongoing.
Such proceedings focus primarily on the assets themselves rather than determining an individual’s criminal guilt.
Any party dissatisfied with a forfeiture judgment retains the constitutional right to appeal the decision before a higher court.
Anti-Corruption Drive Continues
The judgment forms part of the EFCC’s broader campaign to recover assets allegedly acquired through corruption, financial crimes and money laundering.
Over the years, the commission has secured numerous interim and final forfeiture orders involving luxury properties, vehicles, cash, bank accounts and other high-value assets.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that recovered assets are intended to strengthen accountability and support public interest objectives, although transparency advocates continue to call for greater public disclosure regarding the management and utilization of forfeited assets.
Right of Appeal Remains
As of the time of filing this report, there was no public statement from Aisha Achimugu or her legal representatives responding to the judgment.
It was also unclear whether an appeal would be filed against the forfeiture order.
Under Nigerian law, parties affected by judgments of the High Court may exercise their right of appeal within the period prescribed by law.
A1NEWS International will continue to monitor developments and provide updates if either the EFCC or the affected parties issue further statements.
The FCT High Court’s order forfeiting assets worth approximately ₦8.9 billion marks another major milestone in Nigeria’s anti-corruption enforcement efforts.
While the EFCC has secured a judicial endorsement of its application, the case also highlights the growing reliance on civil forfeiture as a legal mechanism for recovering assets suspected to be linked to unlawful activities.
The matter may yet proceed to the appellate courts should the affected parties decide to challenge the judgment.
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