- Court rules EFCC acted outside the law in declaring Tijjani wanted.
- Businessman receives ₦5 million for violation of his rights.
- EFCC must remove Tijjani’s details from its official website immediately.
- Court warns agencies against misusing power in commercial disputes.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publicly apologise to Dubai-based businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Tijjani, for unlawfully declaring him wanted. The court also awarded ₦5 million in damages, highlighting the EFCC’s breach of due process.
Justice H. Buhari delivered the judgment, stating that the EFCC acted “outside the ambit of the law” by publishing Tijjani’s photograph and details online without a valid court order. “The action of the first respondent in declaring the applicant wanted without following due process is unlawful, unconstitutional, and a violation of his fundamental rights,” the judge ruled.
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Tijjani, a Kano-born gold merchant residing in Dubai, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit following a dispute over a multimillion-dollar gold transaction with businessman Ifeanyi Ezeokoli. While an initial overpayment of ₦26 million had been reconciled, a later audit reportedly revealed an additional discrepancy of over $2 million in Tijjani’s favour.
Despite an ongoing Department of State Services (DSS) investigation, the EFCC proceeded to publish him as wanted after a single WhatsApp communication. Tijjani claimed this harmed his international reputation.
Justice Buhari emphasised that while the EFCC has statutory powers to declare suspects wanted, these must follow legal procedures. “The Commission cannot unilaterally declare a person wanted over a commercial dispute, especially when another security agency is already investigating,” he stated. He warned that law enforcement must not be used to settle civil or commercial disagreements.
Court Orders and Reliefs:
- EFCC’s publication deemed unconstitutional and a violation of Tijjani’s rights.
- Immediate removal of the publication from the EFCC website.
- Public apology to Tijjani.
- Payment of ₦5 million in damages.
Speaking through his lawyer, Tijjani described the ruling as “a victory for justice and a reminder that agencies must not misuse their powers.” He added, “My name and reputation were dragged unfairly. Today, the court has corrected that wrong.”
