Court Orders Freezing of Bank Account Linked to Atiku’s Son-in-Law Over Alleged NNPC Money Laundering

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of a Fidelity Bank account belonging to Mars Aviation Limited over alleged involvement in money laundering and fraudulent transactions connected to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Justice Musa Liman, who presided over the case, granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to freeze the account following an ex parte motion filed by the commission’s counsel, Geraldine Ofulue, on July 1, 2025. The ruling, however, was delivered on September 22.

The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1299/2025, requested the court’s authorization to empower the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, or any other authorized officer, to instruct Fidelity Bank to block the account pending the conclusion of investigations. The account in question — 5250350283 (C03651082) — is registered under Mars Aviation Limited.

In an affidavit supporting the motion, Abdulganiyu Olayide, an EFCC investigator attached to the commission’s Special Duties Committee, said the account was under probe for alleged criminal misappropriation and money laundering. According to him, the investigation followed intelligence reports suggesting that NNPCL made multiple payments to Mars Aviation for “non-existent contracts” that violated the Public Procurement Act.

Preliminary findings, Olayide stated, revealed that “huge sums of money” were transferred in several installments to the company’s account by NNPCL. He added that freezing the account was necessary to prevent fund diversion or tampering while the investigation continues.

“I make this affidavit in good faith, believing its contents to be true and correct in accordance with the Oaths Act,” Olayide said.

Further reports allege that Mars Aviation Limited is owned by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, the Founder and Group Managing Director of AA&R Investment Group, who is also the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Bashir-Haske is married to one of Atiku’s daughters.

In August 2025, Haske was declared wanted by the EFCC over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. The ongoing investigation reportedly ties into broader financial scrutiny involving the NNPCL’s former dealings with private contractors.

Earlier this year, TheCable reported that Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, was also under investigation for alleged transfer of millions of dollars to accounts linked to AA&R Investment Group.

While the EFCC maintains that its probe is strictly professional, the development has already triggered intense public reactions and political commentary online.

Some Nigerians view the action as part of a legitimate anti-corruption drive, while others believe it bears the markings of political targeting — especially given Haske’s family ties to Atiku Abubakar, a major opposition figure and former presidential candidate.

On social media, debates have raged between supporters of the current administration and opposition voices. Some users described the EFCC’s action as “a witch-hunt disguised as justice,” while others called for a deeper investigation into how “ghost contracts” allegedly tied to the NNPCL were awarded.

Despite the controversy, the EFCC insists that its move is a routine procedure aimed at safeguarding public funds. The court’s freeze order is expected to remain in effect until the commission completes its investigation and decides whether to file formal charges.

This latest case adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption probes involving public officials, business executives, and politically exposed persons — a reflection of Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance justice, transparency, and politics in the fight against corruption.