The Presidency has publicly endorsed the ongoing manhunt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for businessman Abdullahi Bashir Haske, the son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The move, which comes amid an EFCC notice declaring Haske wanted, has sparked a fresh political debate.

The EFCC, through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, has officially declared Haske wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering. An insider source within the anti-graft agency revealed that the 38-year-old businessman, who is the founder of AA & R Investment Group, had been under investigation for some time but allegedly went into hiding after failing to comply with the terms of his administrative bail. The EFCC notice appealed to the public for information on his whereabouts.

The Presidency, reacting to the development, swiftly dismissed claims of political persecution, a narrative pushed by Atiku’s camp. Speaking through the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the Presidency insisted that the EFCC was simply carrying out its statutory duties. “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 stated. He went on to say that the President Bola Tinubu administration is committed to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring due process, contrasting it with past governments that allegedly weaponized state institutions for political witch-hunts.

The allegations against Haske are serious. He is reportedly linked to a controversial N5.7 billion consultancy contract allegedly awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to his firm, without public tender or competitive bidding. This has raised questions about political patronage and transparency in government contracts.

In response, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, told reporters that the family hopes Haske is not being victimized because of his relationship with the former Vice President. Ibe alleged that the Tinubu administration has a history of using state instruments to harass and intimidate opposition figures.

The public backing of the EFCC by the Presidency sends a clear message of a unified front in the fight against corruption. However, with the political dimension of the case now in the open, the pursuit of Haske will be closely watched by Nigerians and the international community alike. The case is a crucial test of the independence and integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions and the government’s commitment to the rule of law.