The Federal High Court in Kaduna has issued an interim order restraining the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) from arresting or harassing Dubai-based Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Tijjani, who was declared wanted by the commission over alleged involvement in a $1.9 million money laundering case.
The two respondents in the matter are EFCC and one Ifeanyi Ezeokoli.
The order, granted on July 21, 2025, and obtained on Tuesday, was issued by Justice H. Buhari following an ex parte motion filed on July 16, 2025, by the applicant’s counsel. The motion sought to protect Tijjani’s fundamental rights to liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.
Upon 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.
“An interim order restraining the commission or its agents, servants, privies, officer arresting, detaining, harassing, arraigning them or relating to the complaint of the second respondent motion on notice.
“And such further others as this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the case.
“Motion ex-parte dated 14th day of July and filed on 16th day of July 2025 is granted as prayed,” the ruling reads in part.
The case was adjourned to September 18, 2025, for further proceedings.
The EFCC declared Tijjani wanted over alleged money laundering involving $1,931,700.12.
The declaration was made in a notice signed by Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, dated July 11, 2025.
Reacting, Tijjani threatened to take legal action against the EFCC for allegedly tarnishing his reputation by declaring him wanted in connection with a $1.9 million money laundering allegation.
Auwalu dismissed the allegation as false, maintaining that the transaction in question was a legitimate business deal involving currency exchanges with one Ifeanyi Ezeokolu, amounting to over $77m across a year.
