Did Interpol Reject EFCC’s Wanted Alert on Atiku’s Son-in-Law? Anti-graft Agency Speaks
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spoken again on the wanted alert it issued on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's son-in-law
- Atiku's son-in-law, Bashir Haske, was placed on EFCC’s wanted list after allegedly breaching the terms of his administrative bail and failing to honour invitations
- After reports said Interpol rejected EFCC's wanted alert against Haske, the anti-graft agency responded
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance.
FCT, Abuja - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has branded media reports that the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) refused to act on a “wanted” alert it recently issued against Lagos businessman Bashir Haske "fake news".
Legit.ng had reported how, citing a probe into purported money laundering activities, the EFCC declared Haske wanted.
Source: Twitter
Haske is married to the daughter of Nigeria's opposition leader, Atiku Abubakar.
The notice said Haske, 38, was last known to reside at Number 6 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, and 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos state.
The EFCC appealed to Nigerians to assist in locating him by contacting any of its offices nationwide, including in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
The anti-graft agency said information can also be shared via the commission’s dedicated telephone line and email address.
Amid EFCC's wanted alert, France-headquartered Interpol was alleged to have explained in a statement on Friday, August 22, that its rules forbid involvement in cases driven by religious, political, racial, or military motives.
Legit.ng reports that the independence of the commission has since become a subject of debates among Nigerians, with critics accusing the EFCC of being used as a weapon against political opponents since its creation in 2003. However, the EFCC in several media briefings, has said its interventions have nothing to do with politics.
Source: Twitter
EFCC speaks on Haske's alert
On Saturday, August 23, the anti-graft agency described the reports that Interpol rejected its wanted alert against Atiku's son-in-law as false.
The EFCC spoke via its official X (formerly Twitter) page in a post sighted by Legit.ng.
Regardless, observers have queried why the EFCC would be the organisation to debunk the claim amid Interpol's silence.
Read more on the EFCC:
- EFCC places ex-NNPC boss Mele Kyari on watch list, court freezes his accounts
- Betta Edu scandal: EFCC gets 7-day ultimatum to publish probe findings
EFCC reacts to Lege Miami's show
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC chairman, ordered the arrest of one Olakunle Alex Folarin, a former employee of the commission, who recently appeared in a Lege Miami matchmaking show run on social media platforms.
EFCC said this in statement issued to react to the controversies that have trailed the appearance of Folarin on the Lege Miami show.
According to the statement, Olukoyede ordered arrest of Folarin for refusing to submit his ID card and other properties of the anti-graft agency when he was allegedly sacked.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
