The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to apologise to Dubai-based businessman Alhaji Rabiu Auwalu Tijjani for wrongly declaring him wanted, describing the action as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Delivering judgment, Justice H. Buhari said the EFCC acted beyond its legal powers by publishing Tijjani’s name and photograph on its website without a court order or following proper procedures.
The ruling followed a fundamental rights suit filed by Tijjani against the EFCC and businessman Ifeanyi Ezeokoli.
Tijjani, a Kano-born gold merchant, had challenged the EFCC over its July 11, 2025, declaration linking him to a disputed commercial transaction. He and Ezeokoli were involved in a multi-million-dollar gold deal in 2022. While they reconciled an overpayment of ₦26 million, an audit later revealed a further discrepancy of over $2 million in Tijjani’s favour.
He reported the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS), but while the investigation was ongoing, Ezeokoli petitioned the EFCC.
Tijjani said neither he nor his representative was called before the EFCC declared him wanted, an act he argued damaged his international business reputation.
Justice Buhari held that the EFCC must follow due process, including obtaining a competent court’s order, and should not intervene in civil or commercial disputes already under investigation by other agencies. He ruled the commission’s publication unconstitutional and a violation of Tijjani’s rights.
The court ordered the EFCC to remove the publication, issue a public apology, and pay Tijjani N5 million in damages. While Tijjani sought N1.5 billion in damages, the court granted only part of his claims.
