The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has refused an application by businesswoman Aminah Momoh-Orimoloye, a British citizen, seeking release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Momoh-Orimoloye, who is the coordinator of the Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth in Livestock Agriculture, was arrested on August 5, 2025, following a petition alleging conspiracy and diversion of funds. Investigations alleged that she, along with Abdullahi Muhammed, Auwal Ali and others still at large, diverted ₦500 million from a ₦1.663 billion foreign exchange transaction.
Her counsel, Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), argued that her detention violated her fundamental rights and described the bail conditions imposed by the EFCC as excessive.
However, EFCC counsel, S. I. Suleiman, countered that the suspect attempted to mislead investigators and presented questionable sureties. “Upon granting the applicant bail, in line with the rule of law, the EFCC obtained a valid remand warrant to enable it to keep her in custody pending the provision of reliable sureties to fulfil the conditions of her administrative bail,” Suleiman said.
He added that one of the sureties, Aliu John, confessed during questioning that he was asked to falsely claim to be a relative of the suspect, further undermining her case. Suleiman also maintained that Momoh-Orimoloye posed a flight risk due to her foreign residency.
In his ruling, Justice Musa Kakaki dismissed the application, holding that the EFCC had already granted administrative bail but that the suspect failed to provide credible sureties. “Having been granted bail, what the applicant ought to do is fulfil the bail terms,” the judge declared. He noted that her inability to meet bail conditions could not be construed as a breach of her rights.
