The Nigerian government has expressed support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after the agency declared Abdullahi Haske, a businessman and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wanted for allegedly being involved in money laundering and criminal conspiracy. The EFCC took this step after Haske failed to comply with bail conditions and ignored repeated invitations for questioning.

An EFCC source said Haske had agreed to check in regularly during the investigation but disappeared after getting bail. “If he had cooperated and stayed in the country, there would have been no need to declare him wanted,” the source said.

In an official notice, the EFCC shared his last known addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, and asked anyone with information on his location to contact the nearest police station or EFCC office.

Haske’s company, which operates in energy, agriculture, transportation, and ICT, has been linked to questionable money transfers involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, suggested the move could be politically motivated, alleging that the government may be using Haske’s case to go after Atiku.“We hope he’s not being punished just because of his relationship with Atiku. The Tinubu government has used state power before to go after the opposition,” Ibe said.

According to the president’s media adviser, Sunday Dare, EFCC is simply doing its job. “There’s no harassment. The EFCC is following the law. No one is above the law.” he said.

He added that President Bola Tinubu is committed to strengthening institutions, upholding due process, and ensuring that investigations are conducted fairly.

“This government is not using power to fight political enemies. It’s committed to justice and proper legal processes,” Dare said.