The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining, harassing, or prosecuting a Dubai-based Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Tijjani, over an alleged $1.9m money laundering case.
Justice H. Buhari granted the interim order on July 21, following an ex parte application filed by Tijjani’s counsel on July 16, seeking the enforcement of his client’s fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.
The EFCC and one Ifeanyi Ezeokoli are listed as first and second respondents in the suit.
In the certified copy of the enrolled order seen by our correspondent on Tuesday, the court barred the anti-graft agency or its agents from taking any step against Tijjani pending the determination of the substantive motion on notice.
“An interim order restraining the commission or its agents, servants, privies, or officers from arresting, detaining, harassing, or arraigning the applicant or taking any step whatsoever in relation to the complaint of the second respondent,” the order partly reads.
The court further held that the “Motion ex parte dated the 14th day of July and filed on the 16th day of July, 2025, is granted as prayed.”
The matter was subsequently adjourned to September 18 for hearing.
Tijjani was declared wanted by the EFCC on July 11, over an alleged money laundering transaction totalling $1,931,700.12.
In a reaction sent through his legal team, the businessman faulted the EFCC’s declaration, describing it as defamatory and a distortion of a legitimate business deal.
He threatened legal action against the commission for reputational damage.
Tinjani maintained that the transaction in question was part of a series of foreign currency exchanges conducted with the second respondent, Ifeanyi Ezeokolu, amounting to over $77m within one year.
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