The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has declined to enforce a “wanted” notice issued by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Lagos-based businessman Bashir Haske, who is married to the daughter of prominent opposition leader, Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement released on Friday, Interpol cited its internal policies, which prohibit involvement in matters influenced by political, religious, racial, or military agendas.
“Interpol will not help any member country pursue politically motivated cases,” the France-based body said, adding that it was aware of Mr. Abubakar’s position as Nigeria’s top opposition figure.
The EFCC had previously declared Mr. Haske wanted for alleged involvement in money laundering, despite an existing court order that barred the agency from doing so.
Insiders suggest the case may be linked to political power dynamics, particularly surrounding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), with Mr. Haske’s connection to Atiku being perceived as a factor in the dispute
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Haske may have exited the country shortly after a brief detention in July.
The EFCC has long faced accusations of being manipulated to target political rivals. Critics argue that since its creation in 2003, the agency has often focused on high-profile arrests and publicized investigations, while struggling to secure credible prosecutions.
Interpol’s decision to dismiss the alert against Mr. Haske has sparked ongoing discussions across the country.
In a similar vein, the recent arrest of former Bauchi State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has also been widely viewed as politically charged. Tambuwal, who recently switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is considered another key opposition figure.
However, the EFCC has maintained in various public statements that its probe into Tambuwal is strictly based on legal grounds and unrelated to politics.
The neutrality and autonomy of the anti-graft agency continue to be hotly debated issues among Nigerians.