The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdullahi Bashir Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
According to EFCC sources, Haske had been interrogated and briefly detained, with one of his passports seized to prevent his escape. However, he reportedly fled the country using a second passport.
In a public notice signed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the agency urged anyone with useful information about Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station, EFCC office, or contact the commission via phone at 08093322644 or email at info@efcc.gov.ng.
The notice described Haske as 38 years old, with last known addresses at No. 6 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, and 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, both in Lagos.
The N5.7 Billion NNPCL Contract Controversy
Haske is also at the center of a N5.7 billion consultancy contract scandal involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
A civic group, the Coalition of Nigerian Patriots for Good Governance, alleged that the contract was awarded without competitive bidding or due process, raising suspicions of political patronage and corruption.
In an open letter signed by Musa Abdullahi, the group condemned the deal as “a loot in broad daylight,” especially at a time when over 200 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty and inflation continues to soar.
The coalition highlighted that the controversial funds could have been used for critical national needs such as:
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Equipping 570 primary healthcare centers in rural areas
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Providing scholarships for over 50,000 students
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Constructing 114 kilometers of rural roads
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Funding 10,000 small businesses to tackle unemployment
Luxury Kigali Retreat Sparks Public Outrage
The scandal deepened when reports surfaced that NNPCL’s board and top executives, led by Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari, organized a lavish management retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, allegedly coordinated by Haske.
Sources revealed that five private jets were chartered for the trip, while the board booked the entire Kigali Marriott Hotel for the exclusive event. This extravagant spending came just days after the Nigerian Senate questioned the company’s audited financial accounts.
Opaque Deals and Political Patronage
Civil society groups have long accused Haske and his company of being involved in opaque contracts and backchannel dealings, with little to no evidence of technical competence to handle major consultancy projects.
With the EFCC now actively seeking his arrest, analysts believe the case could intensify scrutiny on NNPCL’s procurement practices and further strain public trust in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
