The legal team of Adamawa-born businessman and investor, Abdullahi Bashir Haske, has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for declaring him wanted, describing the move as “a blatant act of illegality and abuse of process.”
In a statement issued on Friday night and signed by Haske’s lead counsel, Mr. Nkemakolam Okoro, the lawyers argued that the EFCC acted in disregard of a pending motion before the Federal High Court, Abuja, which is challenging the validity of the arrest warrant earlier obtained against their client.
“The decision to declare Mr. Haske wanted amounts to an abuse of process, especially given the subsisting motion before the court,” Okoro said, insisting that the warrant itself was obtained through “misrepresentation, concealment of material facts, and in breach of his constitutional right to fair hearing.”
According to the legal team, Haske had consistently shown willingness to cooperate with the anti-graft commission. They noted that he honoured an EFCC invitation in July, complied with directives given to him, and even submitted medical reports after health complications during his detention.
“It is therefore concerning that, despite his compliance, an arrest warrant was sought and obtained before his agreed return date,” the lawyers added.
They further maintained that the order secured on August 8 was specifically for Haske’s arrest, not for him to be declared wanted. Quoting legal precedent, Okoro stressed: “It is trite law that where a court order is obtained by deceit or suppression of facts, the court has the inherent jurisdiction to set it aside ex debito justitiae.”
However, the EFCC has stood by its decision. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the commission announced Haske’s wanted status, urging members of the public to provide useful information on his whereabouts to the nearest police station or EFCC office.
“The public is hereby notified that Abdullahi Bashir Haske is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering,” the EFCC said.
The controversy now rests before the courts, where Haske’s legal team is seeking to vacate the warrant while the EFCC continues its pursuit of the businessman.
