A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Mele Kolo Kyari, the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over alleged involvement in fraud-related activities.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim freezing order on Tuesday, August 19, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, was argued by EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam.
The EFCC requested a 60-day freeze to allow for the completion of an ongoing investigation, but the court limited the freeze to 30 days, with the possibility of renewal.
Ujam told the court that the accounts in question are being investigated for suspected offences including conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. The accounts include:
- Jaiz Bank Account No. 0017922724 (Name: Mele Kyari)
- Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575055 (Name: Guwori Community Dev.)
- Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575141 (Name: Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief)
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, stated:
“I have listened to counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I find that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
The matter was adjourned to September 23 for the EFCC to report on the progress of its investigation.
According to the EFCC, the accounts are under scrutiny in relation to alleged misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust. Preliminary investigations revealed that approximately ₦661.4 million—believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity—was found in the four accounts.
The commission claimed Kyari used his position to facilitate contracts and channel suspicious payments through accounts controlled by family members and disguised as NGO activities and book launches. The inflows allegedly originated from the NNPC and several oil companies with links to the corporation.
The EFCC disclosed that it had received a petition dated April 24 from a group called Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, prompting the investigation. It has since written to Jaiz Bank for full account documentation and placed a temporary “no debit” restriction on the accounts, pending the court’s order.
EFCC emphasized that the freeze is essential to preserve the funds during the investigation and any potential prosecution.
