A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted an interim order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining, or harassing Dubai-based Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Tijjani, over allegations of $1.9 million money laundering.
The interim order, issued by Justice H. Buhari on July 21, 2025, followed an ex parte motion filed by Tijjani’s legal team on July 16, seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights under Sections 35 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.
The EFCC and one Mr. Ifeanyi Ezeokoli were named as respondents in the case.
Naijaonpoint reports that in the ruling on Tuesday, the court barred the EFCC and its agents from initiating any form of arrest, detention, or prosecution against Tijjani until the substantive suit is heard.
The court order reads: “An interim order restraining the commission or its agents, servants, privies, officer [from] arresting, detaining, harassing, arraigning the applicant or relating to the complaint of the second respondent… is hereby granted.”
Justice Buhari further stated, “Motion ex-parte dated 14th day of July and filed on 16th day of July, 2025 is granted as prayed.”
The case was adjourned to September 18, 2025, for hearing on the substantive motion.
EFCC Declares Tijjani Wanted
Naijaonpoint reports that the EFCC had earlier declared Tijjani wanted over alleged laundering of $1,931,700.12.
The anti-graft agency made the announcement via an official notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, dated July 11, 2025.
The EFCC alleged that Tijjani had failed to respond to repeated invitations regarding the alleged money laundering case involving foreign exchange transactions.
In reaction, Tijjani described the EFCC’s move as baseless and defamatory, threatening to pursue legal redress for damage to his name and business reputation.
He insisted that the transactions cited by the commission were legitimate foreign currency exchanges involving over $77 million conducted over a one-year period with Ifeanyi Ezeokolu, the second respondent in the suit.
“My dealings with Mr. Ezeokolu were strictly business transactions within legal bounds,” he said. “The claims by the EFCC are not only misleading but also intended to tarnish my image and disrupt my business.”
With the interim order in place, the EFCC is barred from taking any enforcement action against Tijjani pending the outcome of the main suit. Legal observers say the case is likely to test the boundaries of due process in money laundering investigations involving cross-border transactions.
The court’s final decision is expected on September 18.