By Ghazali Ibrahim 
In January 2024, Nigerian businesswoman and socialite Aisha Achimugu celebrated her 50th birthday with a week-long extravaganza on Calivigny Island, Grenada.
The event, reportedly costing nearly $1 million (over ₦1 billion), featured performances by international artists, including American saxophonist Kenny G and Nigerian musicians Waje, Flavour, Adekunle Gold, and Asake.
Guests were treated to luxurious accommodations, designer outfits, and high-end accessories, with Achimugu reportedly changing outfits over 30 times during the festivities.
The opulence of the celebration attracted significant public attention and criticism.
Not too long after the grand celebration, the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) publicly reminded Achimugu to fulfill her tax obligations, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
Subsequently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Achimugu wanted in March 2025 over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
After the public declaration by EFCC, she reportedly flown to London but was subsequently requested to come back upon a court order to appear before the anti-graft agency.
Upon her voluntary return to Nigeria in April 2025, she was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja earlier this morning.
Her legal team criticized the arrest, stating it violated a court order and that Achimugu had returned to honor the EFCC’s invitation.
In protest, Achimugu declared a hunger strike, describing herself as a “prisoner of conscience”.
Similarly, Lagos Socialite, E-Money has been arrested by the EFCC for alleged naira Abuse and foreign currency defacement.
This has sparked discussions about wealth display, tax compliance, and the responsibilities of affluent individuals in Nigeria.
