By John Umeh
The Presidency has expressed firm support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the anti-graft agency declared Abdullahi Haske, a businessman and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group, was accused of breaching the terms of his administrative bail and ignoring repeated invitations from the EFCC. The businessman, who has been under investigation for several months, reportedly disappeared after securing bail.
An EFCC insider confirmed that Haske’s case involved serious corruption allegations.
“He was expected to report regularly as investigations progressed, but after securing bail, he went into hiding. Declaring him wanted became necessary after he failed to honour multiple invitations,” the source said.
In a public notice signed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the agency urged Nigerians with useful information about Haske’s whereabouts to come forward. His last known addresses were listed as Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, with contact details provided for tips.
Haske’s company, AA & R Investment Group — with interests spanning energy, agribusiness, logistics, and ICT — has previously been linked to probes involving multimillion-dollar transfers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Atiku Camp Alleges Political Witch-Hunt
Reacting to the development, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, suggested that the move might be politically motivated.
“We hope this young man is not being targeted simply because of his family ties to the former Vice President. President Tinubu has a track record of using state institutions to intimidate the opposition,” Ibe alleged.
Presidency Denies Victimisation
The Presidency, however, dismissed such claims as baseless. Speaking through Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the government insisted that the EFCC was only carrying out its lawful mandate.
“There is no harassment or victimisation here. The EFCC is working independently within the confines of the law. No one is above the law,” Dare said.
He further stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to strengthening institutions and ensuring that due process guides all investigations.
“Unlike past governments that weaponised agencies for political witch-hunts, this administration respects the rule of law. Those attempting to politicise the EFCC’s work are simply grasping at straws. The Commission will continue its duties without fear or favour,” he added.
The Presidency maintained that the government would not interfere in the EFCC’s operations, reiterating that accountability and the fight against corruption remain central to Tinubu’s reform agenda.
