The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied speculations that its decision to declare Abdullahi Bashir Haske, businessman and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted was politically motivated or linked to Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition.
Reacting to the claims, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described them as “baseless,” stressing that Haske had been under investigation for a long time.
“Haske is someone we have been investigating for several years. He was granted administrative bail but failed to comply with the process, which led to him being declared wanted. How can anyone suggest politics is involved?” Oyewale was quoted by Daily Trust.
Chronicles Reporters had earlier reported that the EFCC declared Haske, the founder of AA & R Investment Group, wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Investigations revealed that Haske had previously been interrogated, detained, and had his travel documents seized to prevent him from leaving the country. However, he allegedly evaded restrictions by using another passport to escape.
In an official statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission urged Nigerians with useful information about Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or any EFCC office nationwide.
According to the notice, “The public is hereby informed that Abdullahi Bashir Haske, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in a case of alleged Criminal Conspiracy and Money Laundering.
“Abdullahi is 38 years old, and his last known addresses are: No. 6 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, and 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
“Anyone with useful information regarding his location should please contact the Commission through its offices in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja, or call 08093322644, send an email to info@efcc.gov.ng, or report to the nearest Police Station or other security agencies.”
Meanwhile, in June, a group known as the Coalition of Nigerian Patriots for Good Governance announced plans for a nationwide protest over an alleged N5.7 billion fraudulent consultancy contract and extravagant executive retreats by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), at a time the country is facing deepening economic hardship.
In a letter signed by its coordinator, Musa Abdullahi, the coalition described the alleged NNPCL scandal as “daylight looting” and demanded the immediate removal of the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari.
The group disclosed that the planned protests, scheduled for July 1–2, 2025, would push for accountability from government officials and urged the EFCC to probe the allegations.
At the center of the controversy is a N5.7 billion consultancy deal said to have been awarded secretly by NNPCL to a little-known company, HASKE, without due process, public tender, or competitive bidding.
The coalition alleged that the transaction was deliberately shrouded in secrecy, bypassing oversight bodies and raising suspicion of political favoritism.
It also argued that the huge funds could have been better spent on tackling critical national issues such as healthcare, education, rural development, and job creation for young people.
Aside from the consultancy deal, the group accused Ojulari of sponsoring a lavish management retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, using five chartered private jets.
Chronicles Reporters had earlier disclosed that the NNPC board was preparing to travel to Kigali for the retreat just days after the Senate questioned the company’s audited financial accounts.
Sources confirmed that no fewer than five private jets were booked to transport board members and senior executives to Rwanda, with arrangements coordinated by Bashir Haske.
The retreat, led by NNPC Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida and GCEO Bayo Ojulari, reportedly involved booking the entire Kigali Marriott Hotel, a luxury establishment nestled in the Rwandan hills, exclusively for the company’s top brass.
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