The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared Abdullahi Bashir Haske, the son-in-law of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
This was made known in a statement released by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
In the statement, the anti-corruption agency appealed to the general public for assistance in locating Haske, who is a key suspect in an ongoing financial crime investigation.
“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,” the statement read.
Haske, who is 38 years old, was last known to reside at No. 6 Mosley Road, Ikoyi and 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EFCC urged anyone with useful information about Haske’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide. The agency listed its branches in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
The Commission also encouraged the public to reach out through its dedicated phone lines or official email address.
Although the EFCC did not release full details of the alleged crime, it confirmed that the case involves the suspicious movement of large sums of money through criminal means.
Abdullahi Haske is known within political and business circles in Nigeria. He is married to one of the daughters of Atiku Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Haske is reported to have interests in the oil and gas industry and has previously been linked to business deals involving government contracts and public sector funds.
While Atiku Abubakar has not been named in the current case, the development is drawing attention because of his prominent role in Nigeria’s political space. Atiku is a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a leading figure in the opposition.
The declaration of Haske as wanted adds to a growing list of politically exposed persons being investigated by the EFCC under the current administration.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, his government has made anti-corruption a key policy priority. The EFCC, under its present leadership, has intensified its pursuit of major corruption and financial crimes.
The Commission maintains that its actions are based on evidence and are not influenced by political considerations.
In recent months, several top officials, including former governors and ministers, have been arrested or charged to court for alleged embezzlement and fraud.
Legal professionals say the decision to declare Haske wanted suggests he may have failed to honour invitations or deliberately avoided arrest.
“When the EFCC declares someone wanted, it usually means they have evidence and the person is refusing to cooperate,” said Barrister Charles Nwosu, a Lagos-based legal analyst.
He added that if Haske is found to be outside Nigeria, the Commission can engage Interpol to track and extradite him back to the country for prosecution.
Nigerians have expressed different views on the EFCC’s action. While many support efforts to bring financial criminals to justice, others remain skeptical due to the long delays and inconclusive outcomes often associated with high-profile cases.
“I just hope this is not another political witch-hunt or media show,” said Grace Ijeoma, a public affairs commentator. “We’ve seen several of these cases drag on for years with no real outcome. The EFCC needs to follow through properly.”
Others argue that the law should be applied equally, regardless of the suspect’s family ties or political background.
According to the EFCC, the search for Bashir Haske is ongoing. The agency warned that anyone caught aiding or hiding the suspect could face legal consequences.
