Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has suffered a major blow to its credibility after the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) declined to enforce its wanted notice against Lagos businessman, Bashir Haske.
Interpol, in a statement released from its Lyon headquarters on Friday, said it would not be dragged into cases “laced with political motivations,” stressing that its constitution prohibits issuing Red Notices on political, religious, racial, or military grounds.
The development has fueled suspicion that the EFCC’s move was more political than legal, especially as Haske is married to a daughter of opposition leader and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a central figure in the new coalition preparing to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Mr. Haske was declared wanted on Thursday night by the EFCC under its embattled chairman, Ola Olukoyede, despite an existing court order barring such an action.
The agency accused him of money laundering, but critics say the move is part of a broader strategy to weaken Atiku’s camp and wrest control of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
People Gazette had earlier reported on attempts by powerful interests within the administration to force the resignation of NNPC’s chief executive, Bayo Ojulari.
The pressure campaign reportedly collapsed after the intervention of First Lady Remi Tinubu, who clashed with British-Nigerian businesswoman Olatimbo Ayinde, currently facing trial in the UK, alleged to be behind the effort.
The latest standoff has once again thrown EFCC into the spotlight, raising questions about its independence and role in Nigeria’s political chessboard. With Interpol’s rejection, the agency may find itself isolated internationally and accused at home of weaponising corruption probes for political battles.
Mr Haske’s whereabouts remain uncertain, though sources suggest he may have left Nigeria after a brief detention last month.
