The Presidency has thrown its weight behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the anti-graft agency declared Abdullahi Haske, businessman and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group, was placed on the EFCC’s wanted list after allegedly violating the conditions of his administrative bail and ignoring repeated invitations from the agency.
An EFCC insider confirmed that the businessman, who has been under investigation for several months, absconded after securing bail.
“He was expected to report regularly to the commission as investigations progressed, but since securing bail, he has gone into hiding. He would not have been declared wanted if he had honoured our invitations,” the source told Punch.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, however, alleged political persecution, claiming that the development was part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s strategy to intimidate opposition figures.
“Our concern is that we hope the young man is not being victimised on account of being an in-law to the former Vice President. Tinubu has shown the capacity to use the instrument of the state to harass and intimidate opposition,” Ibe alleged.
But in a swift reaction, the Presidency dismissed the claim as baseless, insisting that the EFCC was merely executing its lawful mandate.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, President Tinubu emphasized that no individual was above the law.
“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 declared.
He further stressed that Tinubu’s administration remained committed to strengthening due process and the rule of law, contrasting it with past governments that allegedly weaponised state agencies.
“Those attempting to politicise the arrest of a son-in-law to a former Vice President are simply grasping at straws. The EFCC is carrying out its statutory duties, as expected of every agency under the law.
“President Tinubu does not abuse the powers of his office, unlike those who once weaponised state institutions for political witch-hunts,” Dare added.
Credit; NaijaNews except headline
