The Presidency has declared its support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the agency’s decision to declare businessman Abdullahi Haske wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Haske, the founder of AA & R Investment Group and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was added to the EFCC’s wanted list after allegedly breaching the terms of his administrative bail and failing to respond to multiple invitations from the Commission.
According to sources within the EFCC, Haske had been under investigation for several months in connection with corruption-related offences. The source, who requested anonymity, said the businessman disappeared shortly after being granted bail.
“His case with the EFCC has been ongoing for some time, and he was duly invited. He is facing corruption allegations but failed to comply with the conditions of his administrative bail,” the official said.
“He was expected to report regularly to the Commission as investigations progressed, but since securing bail, he has gone into hiding.
“He would not have been declared wanted if he had remained in the country and honoured our invitations. His refusal to appear is the reason the EFCC had to declare him wanted.”
In an official notice signed by **Dele Oyewale**, Head of Media and Publicity, the EFCC appealed to the public for assistance in locating Haske, urging anyone with relevant information to contact the nearest police station or any EFCC office nationwide. The agency listed his last known addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, and provided telephone numbers and an email for tips.
Haske’s company, AA & R Investment Group, with interests spanning energy, agribusiness, logistics, and ICT, has previously been linked to investigations involving alleged multimillion-dollar transfers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
Atiku’s Camp Cries Political Persecution
In response to the development, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, accused the government of weaponising the EFCC against perceived opposition figures.
“Our concern is that we hope the young man is not being victimised on account of being an in-law to the former Vice President. Tinubu has shown the capacity to use the instrument of the state to harass and intimidate opposition,” noted Ibe
Presidency Responds: ‘No One is Above the Law’
The Presidency, however, swiftly rejected the allegation of political victimisation.
Speaking through Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Communication, the Presidency said the EFCC was simply executing its legal mandate.
“There is no harassment or victimisation here, only the independent and lawful operation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions. No one is above the law,” Dare stated.
The development comes amid renewed scrutiny of politically exposed persons and their associates, as the Tinubu administration continues to emphasise anti-corruption and institutional independence.
