“We won’t honour politically-motivated EFCC alert on Atiku’s son-in-law” — Interpol

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has rejected a wanted alert issued by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against businessman Bashir Haske, son-in-law to opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, describing the move as politically motivated.

Interpol said its constitution bars the agency from being used to pursue political cases, stressing that it would not honour the EFCC’s request. “Please note that Interpol has no plans to help member countries to advance politically motivated cases,” the France-based organisation said in a statement, adding that it is aware of Mr Abubakar’s position as Nigeria’s opposition leader.

Mr Abubakar, a former vice president, was the main opposition candidate in the 2023 presidential election and recently helped form a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027. Interpol emphasised that it only issues Red Notices in line with its constitution, which forbids actions based on political, religious, racial or military grounds.

The EFCC declared Mr Haske wanted on Thursday night over alleged money laundering, despite a federal court order restraining such action. Reports suggest the agency has targeted him in a broader struggle involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), where the EFCC has been accused of attempting to manipulate leadership changes.

Earlier this month, The Gazette reported that EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede sought to oust NNPC chief executive Bayo Ojulari by coercion, before the attempt was quashed following the intervention of First Lady Remi Tinubu. Sources have linked the campaign against Mr Ojulari to Olatimbo Ayinde, a close ally of President Tinubu facing trial in the UK for bribery and corruption.

Mr Haske’s current whereabouts are unclear, with reports suggesting he may have left the country after a brief detention last month. Representatives for him and the NNPC were unavailable for comment. The EFCC also did not respond to requests for clarification.

The agency, established in 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, has long faced criticism for serving as a political tool against opponents while sparing allies of the ruling party. Judges have repeatedly condemned the EFCC’s reliance on media trials instead of presenting strong legal cases.

Interpol’s refusal to entertain the alert underscores the erosion of credibility surrounding Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, which has increasingly struggled to convince both domestic and international observers of its independence.