Drama Unfolds: EFCC Barred From Arresting Fugitive Nigerian Tycoon In Dubai

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has issued an interim order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining, or harassing Alhaji Rabiu Tijjani, a Dubai-based Nigerian businessman, over an alleged $1.9 million money laundering case.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The order was granted by Justice H. Buhari on July 21, 2025, following an ex parte application filed by Tijjani’s legal counsel on July 16. The application was based on the enforcement of his fundamental rights as outlined under Sections 35 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.

The EFCC and one Mr. Ifeanyi Ezeokoli were listed as respondents in the suit.

In the Tuesday ruling, the court restrained the EFCC and its representatives from taking any action to arrest, detain, prosecute, or harass Tijjani until the substantive motion is heard.

The interim order stated: “An interim order restraining the commission or its agents, servants, privies, officers [from] arresting, detaining, harassing, arraigning the applicant or relating to the complaint of the second respondent… is hereby granted.”

Justice Buhari further ruled: “Motion ex-parte dated 14th day of July and filed on 16th day of July, 2025 is granted as prayed.”

The matter was adjourned to September 18, 2025, for hearing of the substantive case.

EFCC Declares Tijjani Wanted

Prior to the court order, the EFCC had declared Tijjani wanted over allegations of laundering $1,931,700.12. The notice, signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, was issued on July 11, 2025.

The EFCC alleged Tijjani ignored repeated invitations to address the claims involving foreign exchange transactions.

In his response, Tijjani dismissed the allegations as baseless and defamatory, vowing to seek legal redress for what he described as an attack on his name and business integrity.

He claimed the transactions in question were legitimate and involved over $77 million exchanged over a year with Mr. Ezeokoli, the second respondent in the case.

“My dealings with Mr. Ezeokolu were purely business-related and conducted within legal limits,” Tijjani said. “The EFCC’s allegations are misleading and appear designed to damage my reputation and disrupt my operations.”

With the interim injunction now in effect, the EFCC is prohibited from taking enforcement actions against Tijjani until the court delivers its final judgment, which is expected on September 18. Legal analysts note that the case may define key aspects of due process in international financial crime investigations.