By Our Reporter
A United Arab Emirate-based Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Auwalu Tijjani, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to court for violating his fundamental rights to freedom of movement.
The anti-graft agency is joined in the suit N0. FHC/KD/CS/2025 by Mr Ifeanyi Ezeokoli, a businessman.
In the motion on notice filed at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Kaduna Judicial Division, July 16, 2025, the applicant is seeking “a declaration that the sudden and hasty publication/declaration of the applicant wanted by the 1st Respondent, (EFCC) on its official website, dated July 11, 2025 or thereabouts, without first exhausting all available administrative avenues, is unlawful,” moreso in view of the fact that the applicant does not live in Nigeria.
He is also seeking a declaration that the publication, without first serving any official written invitation is null and void.
The applicant said the second respondent, Ifeanyi Ezeokoli, lacks the statutory power to criminalise commercial transactions freely entered into between the applicant and the second respondent.
The applicant is therefore seeking an order restraining the 1st Respondent from arresting, inviting or interfering with his fundamental rights to free movement, and association.
He is also seeking an order awarding the applicant N1, 000, 000,000 (N1 billion) as exemplary damages for the flagrant violation of his fundamental rights to wit; illegal and unconstitutional publication declaring him wanted without any reasonable or probable cause whatsoever.
The applicant had petitioned the Department of State Service (DSS) against the 2nd Respondent, a business associate in Nigeria, of allegedly defrauding him of the sum of over $3.5m, wondering why he (2nd Respondent) would turn around to report him (Applicant) to the EFCC, and to the point of declaring him wanted.
The case is yet to be assigned for commencement of proceeding.
End