Businesswoman and founder of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, Aisha Achimugu, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of persecution, intimidation and abuse of legal process, alleging that the agency's actions have endangered her life, tarnished her reputation and crippled her business interests.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Achimugu insisted she is not a criminal and has never been convicted of any offence, claiming the anti-graft agency has subjected her to a sustained campaign of harassment and character assassination.

"I have never been known to be a troublemaker. I am not a criminal and I have never been convicted of any offence," she said.

Achimugu alleged that the EFCC had engaged in "oppression, character assassination, intimidation and the deliberate dissipation of my lawfully acquired personal property," adding that its actions had placed her, her children and her investments in danger.

According to her, the commission's repeated public statements and court actions have unfairly portrayed her as a criminal, resulting in reputational damage and the loss of business opportunities.

Her statement comes days after a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Apo, ordered the final forfeiture of several assets linked to her in favour of the Federal Government. The forfeited assets include jewellery valued at more than ₦4.6 billion, 11 luxury vehicles worth about ₦4.29 billion, as well as $50,000 and ₦30 million in cash.

The ruling followed an earlier judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Achimugu and Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd after the EFCC argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

However, Achimugu maintained that the judgment is being challenged at the Court of Appeal.

She argued that the disputed $13 million formed part of a $20 million payment made by her company to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for petroleum prospecting licences, insisting the funds were legitimate and not proceeds of any criminal activity.

According to her, documentary evidence of the payments, including transfers of $2 million and $5 million through a South African bank into designated government accounts, had already been submitted to the NUPRC.

She accused the EFCC of ignoring the records while continuing to pursue allegations against her in court and through the media.

Achimugu further alleged that the commission acted in bad faith by declaring her wanted despite knowing her whereabouts and maintaining communication with her legal team.

She claimed that shortly after she was declared wanted, about 30 EFCC operatives stormed her residence, confiscated jewellery, safes and personal funds, and intimidated members of her family.

According to her, her elderly mother, who had recently returned from spinal surgery abroad, was forced to remain seated for several hours during the operation despite her health condition.

The businesswoman also alleged that on January 20, 2026, while court proceedings relating to the matter were still pending, EFCC operatives returned to her residence and removed all vehicles found on the premises using cranes and flatbed trucks without regard to ownership or possible damage.

She said that after approaching the court for the return of the seized vehicles and other personal belongings, the commission instead obtained another ex parte forfeiture order from an FCT High Court.

Achimugu also claimed the EFCC's actions affected her international travel, alleging that her United States visa was revoked shortly after she was declared wanted.

She further alleged that she encountered difficulties obtaining a visa with her Grenadian passport, preventing her from attending a Harvard executive programme for which she had already enrolled.

According to her, the developments have resulted in significant financial losses and cost her several business opportunities.

Achimugu maintained that she has always cooperated with authorities and has never attempted to evade investigation.

The EFCC has consistently maintained that its actions against Achimugu are based on ongoing investigations into alleged money laundering and the proceeds of unlawful activities. As of the time of filing this report, the commission had not responded to the latest allegations contained in her statement.