The Digest:
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following the permanent forfeiture of $13 million linked to socialite Aisha Achimugu. The EFCC discovered that part of the funds was sourced from contractors working with the Lagos State Government, with over N855 million traced to contractors executing projects for the state. A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the permanent forfeiture of the funds on Wednesday, ruling that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity. The governor has previously been linked to Achimugu, with PREMIUM TIMES reporting in 2024 that he attended her lavish 50th birthday in Grenada.
Key Points:
- The EFCC investigation focuses on how contractors paid large sums to Achimugu's company without any valid business relationship.
- Over N855 million from Lagos State contractors was allegedly converted to dollars and used to pay for oil bloc signature bonuses.
- The court dismissed Oceangate Engineering's claim that the funds were legitimate gifts, ruling they were proceeds of fraud.
- Governor Sanwo-Olu had previously filed a suit in 2024 seeking to block the EFCC investigation, which the state government later disowned.
- Achimugu remains under investigation and was arrested by EFCC in April 2025 upon arrival from London.
Sources: Premium Times
