Court Orders EFCC to Apologise, Pay N5m Damages for Unlawfully Declaring Businessman Wanted

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to apologize to Kano-born businessman, Rabiu Auwalu Tijjani, and pay N5million damages for wrongfully declaring him wanted.

The court rendered its judgment in a ruling read out and signed by Justice H. Buhari. It ruled that the EFCC committed an act against the fundamental rights of Tijjani because it published his name and picture on its website without due process. According to the ruling, the action was unconstitutional and an abuse of powers.

From a certified true copy judgment made available on Thursday, it was gathered that Tijjani filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC and businessman Ifeanyi Ezeokoli following his listing as wanted on July 11, 2025, by the anti-corruption agency.

The issue began with a business dispute over a gold deal worth millions of dollars involving the two parties in 2022. Tijjani had first reported the issue to the Department of State Services (DSS), with evidence from both parties being submitted for an investigation. But before DSS could conclude an investigation, Ezeokoli filed a case with EFCC.

Tijjani told the court that while he replied to all the EFCC’s WhatsApp messages and even sent a representative, he never received an invitation again before he was declared wanted by the agency.

Justice Buhari held that whilst it may be within the powers of EFCC to declare someone wanted, it must do so within the confines of the law, which includes getting an order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Justice Buhari explained that an arrest warrant issued from a Magistrate Court would not vest any powers on EFCC to declare someone wanted.

The court also criticized the EFCC for interfering with what it termed a strictly civil issue that had already been under DSS investigation. Justice Buhari cited appellate court pronouncements that security and corruption agencies should not be deployed for resolution of business disputes and collection of debt.

The court ruled that the EFCC’s publication violated Tijjani’s rights regarding personal liberty, freedom of movement, and due process. It followed this up with an order for the EFCC to remove its publication immediately, apologize, and pay N5 million as compensation.