Presidency backs EFCC on Atiku’s son-in-law hunt

The Presidency has backed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its declaration of Abdullahi Haske, son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as wanted.

Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group, is accused of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. The EFCC said he breached the terms of his administrative bail and failed to honour repeated invitations for questioning.

An EFCC source said Haske has been under investigation for months and went into hiding after securing bail. “He would not have been declared wanted if he had remained in the country and complied with our invitations,” the source said.

The EFCC listed his last known addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, and urged the public to provide information on his whereabouts.

Reacting to the development, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, accused the government of political persecution.

But the Presidency dismissed the claim. Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, said the EFCC is acting within its mandate.“There is no harassment or victimisation here, only the independent and lawful operation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions. No one is above the law,” Dare said.

He added that the administration was committed to due process and strengthening the rule of law, in contrast to past governments that allegedly politicised state agencies. “Those attempting to politicise the arrest of a son-in-law to a former Vice President are grasping at straws,” he said..