Aisha Achimugu, a businesswoman and socialite, told Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday that her company lawfully secured an oil block through a transparent bidding process that ran from 2022 to 2024.
Achimugu clarified that her firm participated in two distinct bidding rounds – the deep‑offshore round held between 2022 and 2023 and a subsequent mini‑bid round conducted from 2023 to 2024. She said the company met all the technical and financial requirements and emerged as the successful bidder in both rounds. “It was a public process, not a selective one,” she said, adding that the award was achieved “by the grace of God” and through the efforts of her team.
The remarks came shortly after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensified its investigation into Achimugu. The anti‑corruption agency had previously declared her wanted on charges of criminal conspiracy and money‑laundering, and conducted a raid on her residence. Initial reports from DAILY POST suggested that $13 million was recovered during the operation, a figure Achimugu has since disputed, stating that only $50,000 in cash and N13 million in currency were found.
Achimugu’s comments are part of a broader effort to address the accusations surrounding the raid. She emphasized that the acquisition of the oil block was the result of a competitive, government‑sanctioned procedure and not the product of any illicit activity. “We are an oil and gas company with the required assets,” she said, underscoring her company’s capacity to compete in the sector.
The EFCC’s involvement in the case reflects ongoing concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s oil licensing system, which has historically been a focus of both domestic and international scrutiny. While the agency has not yet released a final report on the investigation, its public statements indicate that the probe is still active.
Achimugu’s public clarification may influence the perception of her business dealings and could affect the ongoing legal process. Stakeholders in the Nigerian oil and gas industry are watching the developments closely, as the outcome may set precedents for future bidding rounds and the enforcement of anti‑corruption statutes.
The next steps are expected to involve further EFCC inquiries and possible court proceedings, which will determine whether the allegations against Achimugu hold merit or if the bid process remains validated as transparent and lawful.
