Investor Aisha Achimugu has presented a detailed defence of her conduct and record, maintaining that she has cooperated with lawful processes and should not be publicly condemned through allegations and repeated hostile publicity.
In a statement circulated by national publications and made available to our correspondent, Achimugu identified herself as an accountant, widow, mother, daughter, philanthropist, entrepreneur and employer who has spent decades building indigenous businesses. She said these dimensions of her life have been displaced by a narrow public narrative that has caused deep personal and commercial damage.
Achimugu stated that she attracted more than $100 million into the Nigerian economy and invested heavily in the oil and gas sector. She presented those commitments as evidence of her confidence in Nigeria and argued that protecting such investments is closely linked to sustaining investor confidence in the country.
She also used the statement to defend her level of cooperation with authorities. According to her, she has honoured more than 20 invitations and remains willing to submit herself to the law where due process is observed. She argued that public communication should not portray her as unwilling to engage when, according to her account, her lawyers and representatives maintained documented contact throughout the process.
Her philanthropic record also formed a key part of her defence. Achimugu said the Sam Empowerment Foundation has supported healthcare programmes, scholarships, schools, water projects, food assistance initiatives, places of worship and thousands of community interventions across the country. She presented these activities as evidence of a life dedicated to service and national development.
The statement adopted a strongly patriotic tone. Achimugu said she remains grateful for the opportunities Nigeria has provided over decades of enterprise and insisted that her criticism is motivated by a desire to protect citizens, legitimate businesses and the confidence required for private-sector growth.
She called on the National Assembly, judiciary, security agencies, local and international human rights advocates, media organisations and business partners to review her situation with an open mind. She also urged the public to distinguish her account from the labels and imagery that have dominated previous coverage.
The advertorial, which has been carried by several Nigerian media platforms, provided Achimugu with a broad channel to present her narrative directly to the public. The republications retained her emphasis on safety, family, dignity, investment and fair process.
Achimugu further argued that the reputational effects of the allegations have crossed borders and now influence financial and commercial relationships. She maintained that such consequences make accurate reporting and the preservation of her right of reply especially important.
The publication was framed entirely as Achimugu’s account and defence. It asked readers to consider the personal, family and business consequences she described rather than rely solely on summaries that exclude her perspective.
In her concluding appeal, Achimugu linked personal protection with national economic interests, arguing that Nigeria should safeguard citizens who create jobs and attract investment. She maintained that the country can pursue accountability while also protecting the individuals and businesses that contribute to its economic growth.
