The Presidency has thrown its weight behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which declared Abdullahi Haske, a businessman and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s son-in-law, wanted for suspected criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Haske, the founder of AA & R Investment Group, was placed on the EFCC’s wanted list for allegedly violating the terms of his administrative release and failing to respond to the commission’s invitations.
According to an EFCC insider, the businessman had been under investigation for alleged corruption for several months before disappearing 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.
“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,” the source said.
In a letter issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC requested members of the public with information regarding Haske’s whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or any of its offices countrywide.
The agency gave his last known addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, as well as phone numbers and an email address for tips.
Haske’s company, AA & R Investment Group, which invests in energy, agribusiness, logistics, and ICT, had previously been tied to investigations into alleged multimillion-dollar transfers from Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
In response to the development, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of political persecution, stating that the inquiry was an attempt to target 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,” he said.
However, the Presidency dismissed the charges as unjustified.
Speaking through Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the presidency emphasised that the EFCC was functioning within its authority.
“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,” he said.
Dare asserted that Tinubu’s administration was devoted to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding due process, in contrast to previous regimes that allegedly weaponised state institutions for political witch hunts.
He said, “Those attempting to politicise the arrest of a son-in-law to a former vice president are simply grasping at straws. No one is above the law, and without strong institutions that act without fear or favour, no country can truly progress.
Furthermore, the President’s spokesman said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is carrying out its statutory duties, as expected of every agency under the law.
“President Bola Tinubu does not abuse the powers of his office, unlike those who once weaponised state institutions for political witch-hunts.
“This administration is committed to strengthening the rule of law, ensuring due process, and expediting investigations and prosecutions backed by credible evidence.”
