The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a businessman and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
In a public notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency urged Nigerians with useful information on Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or EFCC office nationwide.
“Abdullahi Bashir Haske, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Anybody with useful information should contact the Commission in its offices across the federation or through its official email and phone contacts,” the notice read.
According to SaharaReporters, Haske was previously detained by authorities and had his passport seized to prevent flight risk. However, sources allege that he managed to escape the country using another passport.
Haske, 38, is the founder of AA & R Investment Group and has been linked to a controversial N5.7 billion consultancy contract allegedly awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) without public tender or due procurement process.
In June, a coalition under the banner Nigerian Patriots for Good Governance accused NNPCL of reckless spending, citing the consultancy deal with Haske’s firm as “a loot in broad daylight.” The group questioned the firm’s competence and described the contract as a calculated diversion of public wealth.
The coalition further alleged that NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, sanctioned the deal and also coordinated a luxury management retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, reportedly involving five chartered private jets and full booking of the upscale Kigali Marriott Hotel. The retreat was allegedly facilitated by Haske.
Critics argue that the resources diverted into the deal and retreat could have been deployed into critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
The controversy comes at a time of mounting economic hardship in Nigeria, with inflation soaring and millions living in multidimensional poverty.
The EFCC has called for public cooperation in locating Haske, who was last traced to addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos.
