The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four accounts at Jaiz Bank, allegedly linked to Mele Kyari, former Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Tuesday after hearing an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency told the court that Kyari is under investigation for alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
According to an affidavit presented by EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi, the four accounts — two in Kyari’s name and two belonging to the Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief — were discovered to contain ₦661.4 million suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC alleged that the funds were disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO projects but were in fact linked to suspicious inflows from the NNPCL and oil companies. It further claimed that the accounts were being controlled by Kyari through family members acting as fronts.
Justice Nwite, while granting the order, said the application had merit and adjourned the matter to September 23 for a report on the investigation.
The Commission said the freeze order was necessary to preserve the funds while investigations continue, with a view to possible prosecution.
