Haske: Legal team slams EFCC’s declaration of Atiku’s son-in-law ‘wanted’

The wanted saga involving Abdullahi Bashir Haske, businessman and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has taken a dramatic turn as his legal team and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) clash over the legality of the anti-graft declaration.

Tribune Online reports that the EFCC, in a public notice signed by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Friday, announced Atiku’s son-in-law ‘wanted’ over alleged offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and money laundering. 

The anti-graft agency also released his photograph and personal details, urging Nigerians with useful information to contact any of its zonal offices across the country or the nearest police station.

Haske, 38, is the founder of AA&R Investment Group, a conglomerate with diverse interests including oil and gas. 

The EFCC, in the statement, said, “The public is hereby notified that Abdullahi Bashir Haske, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

“Abdullahi is 38 years old and his last known address is: No 6 Mosley Road Ikoyi, Lagos State; 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.”

The businessman is said to be a major contractor to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and was alleged to have been awarded lucrative contracts by the new management of the country’s oil company.

Background 

Tribune Online learnt that Haske is being investigated by the EFCC as part of the larger investigations of NNPC Limited top management staff involved in the refurbishment of Nigeria’s moribund refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna said to have gulped billions of dollars but yet to function properly.

Haske’s ‘wanted’ declaration illegal, says Legal team

The EFCC’s declaration of Haske as wanted has stirred controversy. His legal team argued that the Commission acted illegally, given that there is a pending motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the validity of an arrest warrant earlier obtained by the agency.

In a swift reaction, the legal team of Haske has slammed the EFCC for declaring their client wanted in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering, describing the action as “a blatant act of illegality and abuse of process”.

In a statement made available to Tribune Online on Friday, Haske’s lead counsel, Mr. Nkemakolam Okoro, maintained that there was a pending motion before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the validity of the warrant of arrest earlier obtained by the commission.

The legal team, while labelling the decision of the anti-graft agency as an act of illegality, said they are already challenging the validity of the warrant of arrest earlier obtained by the EFCC. 

“The recent decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to declare Mr. Bashir Abdullahi Haske wanted has been described as a blatant act of illegality and an abuse of process, especially in light of a pending motion before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the validity of the warrant of arrest earlier obtained by the Commission.

“According to court filings, Mr. Haske has consistently demonstrated his willingness to cooperate with the EFCC and relevant authorities. He honoured the Commission’s invitation in July and has continued to abide by all directives, including providing medical documentation following health complications during his detention.

“It is therefore concerning that, despite his compliance, an arrest warrant was sought and obtained before his agreed return date. 

“We have since approached the court and filed a motion to vacate and set aside the warrant, arguing that it was obtained by misrepresentation, concealment of material facts, and in breach of his constitutional rights to fair hearing,” the statement read. 

Continuing, Haske’s legal team explained that the order issued on August 8 was specifically for his arrest, not for him to be declared a wanted person. 

According to the statement, the EFCC’s duty was to attempt execution of the arrest and, if unsuccessful, report its inability back to the court. By bypassing this legal duty, Haske’s counsel noted, the Commission acted in contempt of due process and undermined judicial authority, especially given that the warrant itself is under legal challenge.

“It is trite law that where a court order is obtained by deceit or suppression of facts, the court has the inherent jurisdiction to set it aside ex debito justitiae,” Nkemakolam noted, relying on established judicial precedents.

“The matter is now before the Federal High Court for determination, and many view it as a litmus test for judicial independence and the protection of citizens against arbitrary abuse of prosecutorial powers.”

Wanted saga: EFCC Defends declaration 

Amid insinuations that Haske was declared wanted because of his tie with the former vice president, who is a presidential hopeful in the coming 2027 presidential election, the EFCC went on, disclosing the reason it declared Haske wanted.

In a telephone interview with Daily Trust on Friday, the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, described the insinuation as “rubbish,” saying the commission has been investigating Haske for so many years, and that he was on an administrative bail but he jumped the process.

“Haske is someone we have been investigating for so many years. He is on administrative bail but he jumped the process and we declared him wanted. How can anybody be insinuating that?” Oyewale said.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE