The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has suffered a procedural setback in its legal battle against Abuja-based businesswoman, Dr. Aisha Achimugu, after the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja dismissed the anti-graft agency’s application seeking leave to appeal a judgment to the Supreme Court.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, October 22, 2026, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the EFCC failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds or present arguable legal points to justify granting permission to approach the apex court.
The appellate court declared the commission's application for leave as lacking in merit and dismissed it accordingly.
The decision leaves intact the substantive judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal on July 22, 2026, which set aside an earlier interim restriction order freezing personal and corporate bank accounts linked to Achimugu and her business entities.
The appellate court had previously ruled that the prolonged freezing of her accounts without formal charges or timely prosecution violated procedural safeguards and infringed upon fundamental property rights.
The dismissal of the EFCC’s application represents a major procedural victory for Achimugu in her efforts to restore full access to her financial operations.
However, the legal confrontation between the businesswoman and the anti-corruption agency remains multi-faceted across various judicial forums:
Account Restrictions: The Court of Appeal's latest ruling prevents the EFCC from immediately staying the unfreezing of her accounts via an interlocutory appeal to the Supreme Court.
Civil Suit Dismissal: Earlier in October 2026, a Federal High Court dismissed a separate ₦10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Achimugu against the EFCC, ruling that the agency acted within its statutory powers when executing search warrants at her Abuja residence.
Asset Forfeiture Disputes: Separate court proceedings involving final forfeiture applications concerning specific luxury assets and property claims brought by the EFCC remain active within the judicial system.
Legal teams representing Achimugu commended the appellate ruling, emphasizing that regulatory agencies must adhere strictly to statutory guidelines and appellate directives when executing investigative mandates.