Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, on Tuesday restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting a businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Tijani, over alleged $1.9 million fraud.
Tijani is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The judge gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed by Tijani against the EFCC and another businessman, Ifeanyi Ezeokoli.
The EFCC had on July 11 declared Tijani wanted over alleged conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of $1.9 million.
Tijani has denied all the allegations and described 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, the applicant said he entered into a business deal involving $76 million in Dubai with Ezeokoli in January 2022.
Following reconciliation, Tijani returned N26 million to Ezeokoli as an overpayment.
However, he later discovered he had overpaid by more than $2 million due to accounting errors.
Tijani reported the matter 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.
The judge adjourned the matter till September 18.
