Stakeholders from Municipal Local Government Area of Kano State have publicly defended Dubai-based businessman, Auwalu Tijjani Rabi’u, who was recently declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a $1.93 million fraud.
The EFCC, in a statement last month, accused the 42-year-old of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, and money laundering. However, Rabi’u—an indigene of Dala Local Government—has denied the allegations, threatening legal action against the anti-graft agency for damaging his reputation.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders in a statement issued in Kano on Sunday, community elder Alhaji Abdullahi Ishak Badamasi described Rabi’u as a philanthropist and man of integrity. He condemned the EFCC’s declaration, stating that Rabi’u had, in fact, been the victim in a botched financial transaction with one Ifeanyi Ezeokolu in 2023.
According to Badamasi, the dispute originated from a dollar-to-naira exchange deal in which Rabi’u allegedly overpaid Ezeokolu-linked companies by $3.2 million. He claimed Rabi’u took the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS), which engaged OA Consulting Ltd. to carry out a forensic audit.
“Even though Ezeokolu withheld records for two crucial bank accounts, the audit revealed significant overpayments,” Badamasi said. “Instead of cooperating, Ezeokolu escalated the matter to the EFCC, which is clearly a civil issue, not a criminal one.”
He faulted the EFCC’s decision to label Rabi’u a fraudster despite “documented evidence” showing the businessman’s efforts to resolve the matter through due process.
“No amount of misrepresentation will taint our son’s name,” he declared. “We know him as honest, generous, and transparent. It is unjust to portray him as a criminal while ignoring the facts.”
Badamasi called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to intervene, urging that Rabi’u’s image and the reputation of Kano’s business community be protected from unwarranted defamation.
The stakeholders also criticized the EFCC’s language in describing Rabi’u merely as a “Kano businessman,” calling it an attempt to malign not only his personal image but that of the region.
They urged Mr. Ezeokolu to submit the outstanding bank records and cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure a fair resolution.
“This case should unite us in our commitment to truth, justice, and ethical business practice—not divide us,” the statement concluded.
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