Court Freezes Mars Aviation’s Fidelity Bank Account Over Alleged NNPCL Money Laundering
Abuja, Oct. 7, 2025 — The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of a Fidelity Bank account belonging to Mars Aviation Limited over alleged money laundering linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Justice Musa Liman, who presided over the matter, granted the interim order following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1299/2025, was filed on July 1, 2025, and moved by Geraldine Ofulue, counsel to the EFCC.
EFCC Seeks to Preserve Funds Under Investigation
Ofulue informed the court that the account in question is currently under investigation for alleged criminal misappropriation and money laundering. She prayed the court to freeze the account pending the conclusion of the probe.
In his ruling delivered on September 22, Justice Liman held that the EFCC’s application had merit and accordingly granted the request.
The court empowered the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, or any other authorised officer of the commission, to direct the managing director of Fidelity Bank to freeze the account.
According to court documents, the affected account — number 5250350283 (C03651082) — is held by Mars Aviation Limited.
Investigation Linked to NNPCL Contracts
An affidavit filed in support of the motion by Abdulganiyu Olayide, an EFCC investigator attached to the commission’s Special Duties Committee, stated that his team was assigned to investigate the matter.
Olayide said the probe followed intelligence reports alleging that NNPCL made multiple payments to Mars Aviation for purported contracts that were fraudulent and awarded in violation of the Public Procurement Act.
“Preliminary findings revealed that huge sums of money were paid into the company’s Fidelity Bank account by NNPCL in multiple instalments,” Olayide stated.
He explained that freezing the account was necessary to preserve the funds and prevent any transactions while the investigation continues.
“I make this affidavit in good faith, believing its contents to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” the investigator added.
Haske’s Alleged Involvement
Reports indicate that Mars Aviation Limited is allegedly owned by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, the founder and group managing director of AA&R. Haske is married to the daughter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In August 2025, the EFCC declared Haske wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, further intensifying scrutiny around his business activities.
