Court Freezes Bank Account of Firm Linked to Atiku’s Son-in-Law

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of a Fidelity Bank account belonging to Mars Aviation Limited, a company allegedly linked to Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, son-in-law of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The decision follows an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into alleged money laundering and fraudulent contracts involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Justice Musa Liman issued the order after considering an ex parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/1299/2025) filed by the EFCC on July 1 and moved by its counsel, Geraldine Ofulue. The court ruled in favour of the agency on September 22, authorising Fidelity Bank to freeze the company’s account—number 5250350283 (C03651082)—pending the conclusion of investigations.

In an affidavit submitted to the court, EFCC investigator Abdulganiyu Olayide stated that intelligence reports indicated NNPCL made several suspicious payments to Mars Aviation for contracts that allegedly breached the Procurement Act. He said preliminary findings showed that large sums were deposited into the company’s account in multiple instalments for projects that appeared fictitious.

The EFCC argued that freezing the account was necessary to preserve the funds and prevent further transactions while the investigation continues. Olayide affirmed that his statement was made in good faith and in accordance with the Oaths Act.

Investigations suggest that Mars Aviation is connected to Bashir-Haske, who also serves as founder and group managing director of AA&R Group. In August, he was declared wanted by the EFCC for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Earlier reports also indicated that NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari had come under EFCC scrutiny over the alleged transfer of millions of dollars to accounts linked to AA&R Group.

The court’s order marks another step in the EFCC’s efforts to tackle financial crimes linked to public contracts and politically exposed persons.