- Safiu Kehinde
Embattled Nigerian businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, has opened up on the alleged $13 million found during a raid on her house by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
NPO Reported that the EFCC had dragged Achimugu to court over alleged money and laundering following the alleged discovery of the $13 million in her possession.
The Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas CEO was arraigned over the $13 million which was suspected to be proceeds from fraud and unlawful activities.
Speaking over the allegation on Channels TV Politics Today programme on Monday, Achimugu denied discovery of the $13 million in her house.
She also debunked claim that the money was found at her Lagos residence.
“I won’t go into details of the $13 million. It is a mater in court.
“But let me also correct the impression that $13 million was not found in my house when it was raided.
“Let me also correct was published on the website of the EFCC about a certain state. I want to believe that it is not Lagos state.” She said.
Achimugu claimed that only $50,000 and N13 million were found in her house.
The money, according to her, belonged to her mother.
She however defended being in possession of the $50,000 foreign currency which she claimed she kept to meet emergency needs of her children studying abroad.
“My house was raided, but it is only $50,000 and N13 million belonging to my mum was found in my house and my personal belongings.
“I don’t know where Nigerians get the claim that $13 million was in my house. I’m not a bank, so I won’t keep $13 million in my house.
“I have kids who go to school abroad. So, it is important you have those currencies kept away for emergency stuff.” She said.
Speaking on the oil blocks owned by her company, Achimugu held that they were legally and transparently purchased by Oceangate.
“There are two bid processes that we ran, the deep offshore that happened between 2022 and 2023. And there was another mini bid that also happened between 2023 and 2024.
“Like you know we are operating oil and gas company, and we have other assets that we deliver.
“Because I’m very ambitious and have the team to put to it, we went through that process and the grace of God we won the process transparently. It was public process. It wasn’t selective.” She said.