The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdullahi Bashir Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Escape After Passport Seizure
Sources revealed that Haske had previously been detained, with his passport seized to restrict his movement. However, he reportedly escaped using another passport.
“The EFCC took one of his passports, but he escaped with another,” a source familiar with the case told reporters.
In a public notice signed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the agency urged Nigerians with credible information to assist in locating Haske.
The statement read in part:
“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. His last known addresses are No. 6 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, and 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
Anyone with useful information should contact the EFCC via its zonal offices nationwide, call 08093322644, email info@efcc.gov.ng, or report to the nearest police station.”
₦5.7 Billion NNPCL Consultancy Contract Scandal
The development comes as Haske’s name is linked to a controversial ₦5.7 billion consultancy contract allegedly awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to his firm without competitive bidding.
A coalition under the banner Coalition of Nigerian Patriots for Good Governance described the contract as “a loot in broad daylight” and demanded the immediate sack of NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari.
The activists also alleged that NNPCL’s leadership recently organized a luxury retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, involving five chartered private jets and the full booking of the Kigali Marriott Hotel—with Haske reportedly playing a coordinating role.
Public Outcry Over Mismanagement
The coalition argued that the ₦5.7 billion could have been used for pressing national needs, such as:
- Building or equipping 570 rural primary healthcare centers.
- Funding 50,000 scholarships for underprivileged students.
- Constructing 114 km of rural roads.
- Providing startup capital to 10,000 small businesses.
They further alleged that Haske has long been linked to opaque deals, political patronage, and backchannel contracts, raising questions about how his relatively unknown firm secured such a huge consultancy project.
