Presidency Backs EFCC Over Abdullahi Haske’s Wanted Status

The Presidency has thrown its support behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the agency’s declaration of Abdullahi Haske, a businessman and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group, was listed as wanted after reportedly breaching the terms of his administrative bail and failing to respond to multiple EFCC invitations.

An EFCC insider told Punch that the businessman had been under investigation for months over alleged corruption and went into hiding after securing 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 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.

Reacting to Haske’s status, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, accused the government of political persecution, suggesting the investigation could be an attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration 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,” Ibe said.

The Presidency, however, dismissed the claims as baseless. Speaking through Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, it maintained that the EFCC was acting within 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 said, adding that Tinubu’s administration was committed to strengthening the rule of law and due process, in contrast to previous governments accused of using state institutions for political purposes.

He continued, “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.”

Dare further emphasised that the EFCC was simply fulfilling its statutory duties. “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.”