Fresh facts confirmed, yesterday, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing an in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Abdullahi Basir Haske is wanted for alleged illicit movement of millions of dollars for some past and present officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Haske, who was admitted to an administrative bail after feigning medical emergency on July 24, 2025, is suspected to have fled the country.
He was alleged to have remained incommunicado in defiance of his bail conditions.The sudden twist in his behaviour was said to have prompted the EFCC to declare him wanted.
According to findings by EFCC investigators, Haske has allegedly been getting juicy contracts from the NNPC over the years. Although the contracts were said to be aviation related through NNPC EnServ, he was alleged to have used the window to haul illicit funds for the staff of the oil firm.
A source privy to the ongoing investigation, said: “The suspect has been entrenched in the system.“Abdullahi Bashir Haske is the beneficial owner of Mars Aviation Limited.
“For several years, he has been leveraging on his relationship with past and current GMDs of NNPCL to secure contracts for his aviation company through which he has been moving large sums of money.
“He has several private jets through which he has been executing bulk cash transfers and illicit movement of funds for top officials of NNPC Ltd.
“Analysis of Mars Aviation Limited’s domiciliary account with a major bank showed large inflow of dollars in millions from NNPC EnServ.
“Several questionable withdrawals have been made from the account
“Investigators are probing several questionable contracts he lifted so far from NNPC Ltd and the operations of Mars Aviation Limited, especially the use of a Gulfstream IV Jet with tail number, 17- ABH for fraudulent movement of funds.”
It was learnt that when the suspect discovered that the game was up, he devised a trick to escape.
Another source said: “In the course of interviews by EFCC investigators on July 24, 2025, he feigned a medical emergency and was rushed to the National Hospital and admitted to an administrative bail the following day.
“Since then, he has remained incommunicado in flagrant disregard of the bail conditions. “He took advantage of EFCC’s liberal approach to bail to escape. “But the law will catch up with him wherever he goes.”
Responding to a question, the highly-placed source said: “It is the investigation of past and current managements of NNPC Ltd that uncovered his dealings
“The seizure of the jets can only happen after their forfeiture procedures are concluded in court.”
Asked of the total amount involved, the source added: “Not yet. More accounts may be discovered along the line.”
The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, who signed the release which declared the suspect wanted, was unavailable for further comments.
The EFCC had declared Haske wanted on Friday, seeking information from the public that could lead to his arrest.
Oyewale had given his age as 38 and his last known address as No. 6, Mosley Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and 952/953, Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos,
Oyewale said: “Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja office or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: edcc.gov.ng or the nearest police station and other security agencies.”
In response, Haske’s legal team, led by Nkemakolam Okoro, criticized the EFCC’s action as “a blatant act of illegality and abuse of process,” noting a pending motion before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the validity of an arrest warrant obtained against him. The lawyers said Haske had demonstrated willingness to cooperate with the EFCC, submitting medical records and honoring the commission’s invitation in July. They argued that the arrest warrant, issued on August 8, was obtained by misrepresentation and suppression of material facts, and the court has the authority to set it aside.
The EFCC continues to probe the operations of Mars Aviation Limited, including the movement of funds through private jets, and is investigating several questionable contracts awarded to Haske over the years. The agency emphasized that seizure of assets, including the jets, would follow due legal forfeiture procedures.
