• Says transaction under probe was legitimate business worth $77 million
• Auditor alleges overpayment of $2 million to complainant
An international businessman, Rabiu Auwalu Tijjani, has threatened legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what he termed reputational damage following the Commission’s decision to declare him wanted for alleged financial misconduct.
The EFCC, in a notice issued on Friday, declared Tijjani, a 43-year-old indigene of Dala Local Government Area in Kano State, wanted for alleged involvement in money laundering and obtaining $1.9 million under false pretence.
In a personally signed statement made available to journalists on Sunday, Tijjani strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless” and rooted in a legitimate business transaction conducted between him and one Ifeanyi Ezeokolu.
According to Tijjani, the transactions, spanning January to December 2023, amounted to over $77 million and were executed through multiple business entities linked to Ezeokolu.
“I am a businessman resident in the United Arab Emirates. When Ifeanyi contacted me for a transaction, he would remit the naira equivalent, and I would send back the dollar value,” he explained. “These dealings involved eleven of his companies.”
Tijjani claimed that a review of their accounts revealed an overpayment in favour of Ezeokolu, prompting him to reach out for a resolution. However, he said Ezeokolu became evasive.
Subsequently, he reported the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS), which advised that both parties engage an independent auditor to reconcile the accounts.
“The DSS invited both parties for interrogation. After this, I retained the services of an independent auditor when Ezeokolu refused to cooperate further,” Tijjani said. “Shockingly, instead of resolving the matter amicably, he went to court, suing the DSS for alleged rights violation.”
Tijjani stated that the matter was later transferred to the EFCC, to which he responded by sending legal representation.
The auditor handling the reconciliation, Mr Olumide Ajayi, confirmed that preliminary findings showed Ezeokolu’s companies may have been overpaid by over $2 million.
“We reviewed account records provided by both parties. However, only nine of the eleven companies submitted their statements. The two outstanding companies—GRE International Company for Trading and Supplies, and Seagate Maritime Limited—handled transactions in excess of $50 million,” Ajayi said, noting that he would be meeting with EFCC officials in Abuja on Monday.
When contacted, Ezeokolu declined to comment, stating that the matter was currently under investigation by the EFCC.
Responding to inquiries, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the declaration of Tijjani as wanted, stating that all efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.
