‘$1.9m fraud’: Court stops EFCC from arresting Dubai-based Nigerian businessman

A federal high court in Kaduna has issued an interim order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or harassing Rabiu Tijjani, a Nigerian businessman based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), over the alleged $1.9 million fraud.

The order was given by H. Buhari, the presiding judge, while ruling on an ex parte application filed by Tijjani against the EFCC and another businessman, Ifeanyi Ezeokoli.

The EFCC had on July 11 declared Tijjani wanted over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and laundering over $1.9 million.

Tijjani has denied all the allegations, describing the EFCC’s action as harmful to his reputation and a threat to his ongoing refinery project in Abuja.

In an affidavit submitted by his lawyer, Muhammad Zakariyya Dikko, Tijjani said he entered into a business deal with Ezeokoli in January 2022, involving the exchange of $76 million in Dubai for its naira equivalent in Nigeria.

Following reconciliation, Tijjani returned N26 million to Ezeokoli as an overpayment. However, he later discovered he had overpaid by more than $2 million due to accounting errors.

Tijjani reported the issue to the Department of State Services (DSS) after failed attempts to resolve the matter with Ezeokoli.

Both parties agreed to an independent audit, which reportedly uncovered fake addresses tied to companies involved in the transaction. The audit lasted six months due to the volume of documents reviewed.

According to the affidavit, Ezeokoli later became uncooperative and petitioned the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal office.

But Tijjani claimed this was done to shift attention from the DSS investigation and cover up the irregularities.

Tijjani’s lawyer stated that although documents were submitted to the EFCC through a representative, his client was never formally invited or contacted before the agency issued a public notice declaring him wanted.

He argued that the action violated Tijjani’s rights and caused reputational damage, leading to questions from his associates and a loss of investor confidence in his refinery project.

After reviewing the application, the court granted an interim order preventing the EFCC from inviting, arresting, detaining, harassing, or prosecuting Tijjani until the main case is heard.

The matter has been adjourned to September 18.