A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Aisha Achimugu's Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd. The court made this order in a ruling on a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had sought the final forfeiture of the funds, which Justice Emeka Nwite held were not obtained legitimately. The judge stated that neither Oceangate nor Achimugu provided sufficient evidence to support their claims that the money came from gifts and earnings from gas and oil-related contracts.

The court dismissed arguments raised by Oceangate's lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, including claims that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the interim forfeiture order. Justice Nwite agreed with the EFCC's lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, that relevant laws were complied with in granting the order.

The EFCC had argued that the company and Achimugu failed to provide material facts to support their claims. The court also dismissed the argument that the EFCC was a meddlesome interloper, describing it as baseless.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The EFCC's victory in this case is a significant blow to corruption in Nigeria. The court's decision sends a strong message that those who engage in illicit financial activities will be held accountable. Aisha Achimugu and her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, must now face the consequences of their actions. The $13 million forfeited is a substantial amount that could have been used to address pressing social and economic issues in Nigeria. This case highlights the importance of the EFCC's work in combating financial crimes and ensuring that the country's resources are used for the benefit of all Nigerians.