Alleged $1.9m Fraud: EFCC Stopped From Arresting Businessman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been stopped from arresting or harassing a Dubai-based Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Auwalu Tijjani, who was declared wanted over alleged $1.9m money laundering charges.

Recall that the EFCC had declared Tijjani wanted over alleged money laundering involving $1,931,700.12.

The declaration was made in a notice signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, dated July 11, 2025.

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted an interim order restraining the EFCC from arresting Alhaji Rabiu Auwalu Tijjani in the matter. The applicants are Alhaji Rabiu Auwalu Tijjani, and the two respondents are EFCC and Mr. Ifeanyi Ezeokoli.

The order, granted on Monday by Justice H. Buhari, was in response to an ex parte motion filed by the applicant’s counsel on July 16, 2025, seeking protection of Alhaji Tijjani’s fundamental rights to liberty and freedom of movement as enshrined in Sections 35 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.

After reviewing the application, Justice Buhari granted an interim order restraining the EFCC from inviting, arresting, detaining, harassing, or prosecuting Tijjani pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion. The matter was adjourned to September 18, 2025, for further hearing.

A sworn affidavit filed by Tijjani’s legal representative, Muhammad Zakariyya Dikko, stated that the crisis began after the EFCC published Tijjani’s name and photograph on its official website on July 11, 2025, declaring him wanted for alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and money laundering to the tune of $1,931,700.

Tijjani had also denied all allegations, describing the EFCC’s move as malicious and damaging to his reputation and business interests, especially his refinery project in Abuja.

The affidavit revealed that Tijjani had entered into a business transaction with Mr. Ifeanyi Ezeokoli in January 2022, involving the exchange of $76 million in Dubai for the naira equivalent in Nigeria.

Following the transaction, Tijjani said he refunded an overpayment of ₦ $26 million to Ezeokoli after reconciling figures. However, he later discovered that he himself had overpaid Mr. Ezeokoli by over $2 million due to double entries. This has prompted investigation and litigation ever since.