Oil Magnate, Abdullahi Haske, Declared Wanted For ‘Money Laundering’

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a Nigerian businessman has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

In a statement issued by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the commission called on members of the public to provide useful information that could aid in Haske’s arrest.

Haske is the son-in-law of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

“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 notice stated.

According to the EFCC, Haske, aged 38, was last known to reside at No. 6 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, and 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The agency appealed to Nigerians to assist in locating him by reaching out to any of its offices across the country, including Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.

The commission added that information could also be shared through its dedicated telephone line and official email address.

Haske, who is into the oil and aviation sectors, is said to be under investigation for alleged money laundering connected to private jet operations and controversial contracts involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

According to investigators, the EFCC inquiry focuses on the movement of substantial funds through shell companies, aviation service providers, and offshore accounts.

Evidence reportedly points to the use of private aircraft and bulk cash transfers as possible channels for laundering illicit proceeds.

Financial trails are said to lead back to contracts allegedly facilitated through NNPC EnServe Ltd., a subsidiary under NNPCL’s Upstream Directorate.

Haske’s firm, AA & R Investment Group, is a notable player in Nigeria’s energy industry, with reported stakes in OML 148, an onshore oil block in the Niger Delta. His network of connections has intensified scrutiny.

Haske is regarded as a close ally of NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bashir Bayo Ojulari.