A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over allegations of fraud.
The order was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) moved an ex-parte application seeking to preserve the funds pending the conclusion of investigations.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the EFCC had placed sufficient evidence before the court to warrant the order. “I have listened to counsel for the applicant and carefully examined the affidavit evidence, exhibits, and written address. I find this application meritorious and it is accordingly granted as prayed,” the judge declared.
The matter was adjourned to September 23 for a progress report.
EFCC’s Motion
The EFCC, in its ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641 and filed on August 11, informed the court that the affected accounts belong to Kyari and entities linked to him. The accounts include:
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari (duplicate)
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief
The anti-graft agency alleged that these accounts are subjects of ongoing investigations into conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust.
According to the EFCC, preliminary findings revealed that over ₦661.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was warehoused in the accounts.
Background of Investigation
In a supporting affidavit, EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi stated that the commission received a petition on April 24 from a civil society group, Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law, accusing Kyari of fraudulent practices.
Abdullahi said his team obtained bank records from commercial banks, which allegedly showed that Kyari used his position to facilitate contracts and launder illicit funds through the identified accounts.
The EFCC argued that freezing the accounts was necessary to prevent dissipation of the funds pending the outcome of its investigation and possible prosecution.
