The Presidency has thrown its weight behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after the anti-graft agency declared Abdullahi Haske, businessman and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group, was placed on EFCC’s wanted list after allegedly breaching the terms of his administrative bail and failing to honour invitations by the commission.

According to an insider in EFCC, the businessman has been under investigation for some months over alleged corruption and disappeared after securing bail.

“His case with the EFCC has been ongoing for some time, and he was duly invited. He is facing corruption allegations but failed to comply with the conditions of his administrative 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 remained in the country and honoured our invitations. His refusal to appear is the reason the EFCC had to declare him wanted,” the source said.

In a notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC urged members of the public with information on Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or any of its offices nationwide.

The agency listed his last known addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, and provided contact numbers and an email for tips.

Haske’s company, AA & R Investment Group, with interests in energy, agribusiness, logistics, and ICT, had earlier been linked to investigations involving alleged multimillion-dollar transfers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Reacting to the development, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, alleged political persecution, claiming that the investigation could be an attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to target 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,” he told Saturday PUNCH.

But the Presidency dismissed the allegations as unfounded.

Speaking through Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the presidency insisted that EFCC was acting within its mandate.

“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,” he said.

Dare stated that Tinubu’s administration was committed to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring due process, contrasting it with past governments that allegedly weaponised state institutions for political witch-hunts.

He said, “Those attempting to politicise the arrest of a son-in-law to a former Vice President, are simply grasping at straws. No one is above the law, and without strong institutions that act without fear or favour, no country can truly progress.

Speaking further, the President’s spokesman said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is carrying out its statutory duties, as expected of every agency under the law.

“President Bola Tinubu does not abuse the powers of his office, unlike those who once weaponised state institutions for political witch-hunts. This administration is committed to strengthening the rule of law, ensuring due process, and expediting investigations and prosecutions backed by credible evidence.”