Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the freezing of multiple bank accounts linked to Mele Kolo Kyari, the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The order was granted on Tuesday after EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, moved an ex-parte application filed on August 11. The anti-graft agency told the court that the accounts are under investigation for suspicious transactions, including allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated: “I have listened to counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I found that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
According to the EFCC, the frozen accounts include:
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Jaiz Bank Account No: 0017922724 (Mele Kyari)
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Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575055 (Guwori Community Development Foundation)
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Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief)
Investigations revealed that N661.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was warehoused in four accounts managed by Kyari and his family members, allegedly acting as fronts. The EFCC alleged that suspicious inflows from NNPC and oil companies dealing with the corporation were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of an NGO.
The case originated from a petition dated April 24, filed by an organization known as the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law. The EFCC, acting on the petition, sought bank records and imposed a temporary 72-hour no-debit order on the accounts before approaching the court for an extension.
Kyari was removed as NNPC boss on April 2, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu, who cited the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC.”
The EFCC says investigations are ongoing to trace the full flow of funds and identify the roles of all parties involved. The Commission has written to Jaiz Bank requesting hard copies of comprehensive account details while it awaits further responses.
The ruling raises questions about the accountability of top officials in Nigeria’s oil sector, a space long plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
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