The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which she sought ₦10 billion in damages over an alleged invasion of her privacy.

Achimugu had approached the court to challenge the commission’s search of her residence and the seizure of her vehicles, jewellery and other belongings.

She also sought an order restraining the EFCC from allegedly harassing her, threatening her or invading her private residence.

In the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, the businesswoman asked the court to determine whether the commission acted within its statutory powers when it carried out the search and seized the items.

Delivering judgment, Justice M.S. Liman held that the EFCC had the authority to search the property after receiving intelligence concerning alleged criminal activities.

The judge ruled that the commission was entitled to carry out the search as part of its lawful duties, noting that the applicant and her legal team had failed to establish sufficient grounds to justify the damages being sought.

Consequently, the court rejected the ₦10 billion compensation claim and dismissed the suit for lacking merit. The judge also described the case as frivolous and brought in bad faith.

Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the EFCC, Emenike Mgbemele, welcomed the decision, describing it as being in the interest of justice. He also argued that the suit had been an attempt to waste the court’s time.

The ruling comes amid other legal proceedings involving Achimugu and the anti-graft agency over assets linked to investigations into alleged financial improprieties.