The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a businessman and founder of AA & R Investment Group, wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Haske is also the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Chronicles Reporters gathered that Haske had earlier been interrogated and detained by the anti-graft agency, with his passport seized to prevent him from fleeing. However, he reportedly managed to escape using a different passport.
“The EFCC seized one of his passports, but he slipped away with another,” a source familiar with the matter told Chronicles Reporters on Friday.
In a notice signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission urged Nigerians with useful information on Haske’s location to contact its offices nationwide or the nearest police station.
The notice read: “The public is hereby notified that Abdullahi Bashir Haske, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of 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 should contact the Commission at any of its offices across the country, through 08093322644, via email at info@efcc.gov.ng, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.”
In June, a civic group under the banner Coalition of Nigerian Patriots for Good Governance announced plans for a nationwide protest against the alleged N5.7 billion fraudulent consultancy contract and extravagant executive retreats organised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In an open letter signed by Musa Abdullahi, the group described the alleged deal as “broad daylight looting” and demanded the immediate removal of NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mr. Bayo Ojulari. It also called on the EFCC to urgently probe the scandal.
The coalition announced that the protest would take place on July 1–2, 2025, across the country, urging citizens to demand accountability from those in charge of Nigeria’s public resources.
“At a time when over 200 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, when inflation is spiraling, and when the government pleads for patience as harsh reforms unfold, the NNPCL under Mr. Bayo Ojulari has embarked on reckless, wasteful spending of public funds,” the group declared.
At the centre of the storm is a N5.7 billion consultancy contract allegedly awarded by NNPCL to HASKE, a relatively obscure company, without public tender, competitive bidding, or compliance with procurement laws.
The coalition alleged that the contract was arranged in secrecy, bypassing oversight mechanisms and raising suspicions of political patronage.
“HASKE has long been linked to shadowy deals, political connections, and backdoor contracts,” the group alleged. “The firm lacks a proven track record in delivering high-level consultancy services and does not have the industry reputation or technical expertise for such a contract. So why was it handpicked?”
According to the group, the move amounted to deliberate looting of Nigeria’s oil wealth. It further argued that the money could have been directed towards more urgent needs, such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
“N5.7 billion, equivalent to nearly $4 million, was secretly signed away while hospitals lack equipment, schools are underfunded, and millions of Nigerians struggle to afford a daily meal,” the group stressed.
The coalition outlined alternative uses for the sum, saying:
- It could fund or equip 570 primary healthcare centres across rural Nigeria.
- It could provide scholarships for over 50,000 underprivileged students.
- It could construct 114 kilometres of rural roads to boost agriculture and trade.
- It could serve as startup capital for over 10,000 young entrepreneurs.
“Instead, this staggering amount was funneled into a sham consultancy deal, serving only the interests of cronies and insiders,” the group lamented.
The group also accused NNPCL’s CEO, Bayo Ojulari, of organising an extravagant management retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, involving five chartered private jets.
Earlier in June, Chronicles Reporters revealed that NNPCL’s board had concluded plans for the retreat just days after the Senate questioned the company’s audited financial statements.
Sources confirmed that the trip, coordinated by Bashir Haske, involved the booking of the entire Kigali Marriott Hotel, a luxury resort in the Rwandan hills, for the company’s board and management. The team was led by NNPCL Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida and CEO Bayo Ojulari.
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