HEDA hails Court’s Final Forfeiture of Aisha Achimugu’s Assets, Urges Sustained Anti-Corruption Efforts
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has welcomed the Federal High Court’s order granting the final forfeiture of assets linked to businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to the Federal Government, describing the judgment as a significant boost to Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign. Justice Jude Onwugbuzie of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday ordered the forfeiture of jewelry valued at N4.65 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth N4.29 billion and $50,000 in cash following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). HEDA in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the anticorruption group commended the anti-graft agency for pursuing the case to its logical conclusion and lauded the judiciary for upholding the rule of law. According to Suraju, the judgment demonstrates that anti-corruption institutions can achieve meaningful outcomes, whether with private or public persons, when investigations and prosecutions are conducted professionally and without undue interference. He said the forfeiture should serve as a reminder that no individual, regardless of status or political connections, should be above the law. “The court’s decision is capable of reinforcing public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption framework. Asset recovery must remain a key component of efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability in the management of public resources,” Suraju said. The organisation urged the EFCC and other relevant agencies to sustain the momentum by ensuring that all recovered assets are transparently managed and deployed for projects that directly benefit Nigerians. Suraju also called for consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws, stressing that investigations and prosecutions should remain evidence-based and free from political considerations. HEDA further urged public officials and politically exposed persons to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity in public service. The organisation maintained that strengthening institutions, ensuring judicial independence and promoting transparency in asset recovery remain critical to sustaining Nigeria’s fight against corruption. The judgment comes months after the same court ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, a company associated with Achimugu.
