Haske has long been linked to shady dealings, political patronage, and backroom deals.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued an arrest warrant for businessman Abdullahi Bashir Haske, founder of the AA & R Investment Group and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on charges of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
However, we understand that Haske had previously been questioned and arrested by authorities. His passport was confiscated to prevent him from fleeing. However, he escaped with another passport.
A high-ranking source familiar with the investigation told us on Friday: “The EFCC confiscated one of his passports, but he escaped with the other.”
The anti-corruption agency, in a notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, called on the public to provide any useful information on Haske’s whereabouts to the nearest police station or any Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office across the country.
The notice reads: “This is to inform the public that Abdullahi Bashir Haske pictured above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for suspected criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“Abdullahi is 38 years old and his last known address is: No 6 Mosley Road Ikoyi, Lagos State. 952/953 Idejo Street Victoria Island, Lagos State “Anyone with information on his whereabouts is kindly requested to contact the Commission’s offices at
, Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, Abuja, or info@efcc.gov.ng or call 08093322644 Or send an email to their email address:
, or contact the nearest police station or other security agency.
In June, a group calling itself the “Nigerian Patriots Alliance for Good Governance” launched a targeted protest against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) for allegedly fraudulently awarding a 5.7 billion naira consulting contract and a generous withdrawal plan, amid Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis.
In an open letter signed by Musa Abdullahi, the group described the alleged corruption as “looting in broad daylight” and called for the immediate dismissal of NNPCL Group CEO, Mr. Bayo Ojulari.
The group announced plans for nationwide protests on July 1 and 2, 2025, to hold the highest levels of government accountable. It called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the alleged fraud.
The group said: “At a time when more than 200 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, inflation is soaring, and the government is calling for patience in the face of painful reforms, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) is in dire straits. Under the new leadership of Mr. Bayo Ojulali, public funds have been squandered with impunity.”
At the center of the controversy is a N5.7 billion consultancy contract that the NNPCL allegedly awarded to a little-known firm, HASKE, without public tender, active bidding, or adherence to procurement rules.
The coalition claims the deal was done in secret, bypassing checks and balances and raising critical questions about political patronage.
“HASKE has a long history of being associated with backroom deals, political patronage, and backroom contracts,” the group claims.
“The company does not have a proven track record of providing high-quality consultancy services, nor does it possess the industry reputation or technical expertise required to secure such a contract.”
“So why was this firm chosen?” the group asks.
“This is not only a violation of public procurement laws, but also a calculated plunder of Nigeria’s oil wealth,” the group says.
The group further argues that the funds could have been better used on urgent national issues such as healthcare, education, rural infrastructure, and youth unemployment.
The group stressed that “5.7 billion naira, nearly $4 million at today’s exchange rate, was privately distributed, leaving hospitals unequipped, schools lacking infrastructure, and millions unable to afford three meals a day.”
“What could this 5.7 billion naira have been used for: building or equipping 570 large-scale health centers in rural Nigeria? Providing scholarships for over 50,000 impoverished Nigerian students?
“Building 114 kilometers of rural roads to support agriculture and trade. Providing funding for over 1,000 young entrepreneurs to reduce unemployment.”
“Instead, the money was invested in a sham consulting contract that benefited no one except insiders and cronies.”
In addition to the alleged contract fraud, the group also accused Ojulari of organizing a lavish executive retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, using five privately chartered jets.
In early June, we reported that the board of directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was preparing to fly to Kigali, Rwanda, for a lavish retreat.
The move comes days after the Nigerian Senate raised serious questions about the company’s audited financial statements.
We have learned that at least five private jets were used to transport NNPC board members and senior executives to the Rwandan capital. Sources indicate that the trip was coordinated by Bashir Haske.
The board, led by Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida and overseen by Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Bayo Ojulari, booked the entire Kigali Marriott Hotel, an upscale resort in the Rwandan mountains, to host the event. (*)
