A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to businesswoman Aisha Achimugu and her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, to the Federal Government.

Delivering judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), holding that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The court found that Oceangate failed to provide credible evidence showing how the money was legitimately acquired, noting that the burden of proof rested on the company.

Justice Nwite also dismissed claims that the funds were gifts, stating that no alleged donors appeared in court to support the assertion.

According to the ruling, the EFCC established reasonable suspicion that the funds were linked to fraudulent activities, while the company failed to present evidence of legitimate business transactions or payments to justify the inflows.

The forfeiture follows an earlier interim order granted in August 2025, after which interested parties were invited to show cause why the funds should not be permanently seized.

The EFCC had alleged that the money was linked to questionable transactions, including payments related to oil block acquisitions, claims the company denied.

However, the court upheld the anti-graft agency’s position, concluding that the firm failed to disprove the allegations or establish a lawful source for the funds.