The legal team of Abdullahi Bashir Haske, businessman and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for declaring him wanted over allegations of money laundering and criminal conspiracy.

On Friday, August 21, 2025, the EFCC released a notice through its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, calling on the public to provide information that could lead to Haske’s arrest. The 38-year-old was last traced to addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, according to the agency.

The EFCC urged Nigerians to reach out to its offices across the country or use its hotline and email to share any leads.

Lawyers Push Back

In a swift reaction, Haske’s lead counsel, Nkemakolam Okoro, described the EFCC’s action as “a blatant act of illegality and abuse of process.”

Okoro explained that there is already a pending motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the validity of the arrest warrant previously obtained by the commission.

The legal team insisted that Haske has not been evasive, stressing that he:

Honoured EFCC’s invitation in July,

Submitted medical reports after health complications during detention,

And agreed to return on a scheduled date.

Despite this, lawyers said the EFCC went ahead to secure an arrest warrant and later declared him wanted.