A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The accounts, domiciled in Jaiz Bank, were frozen due to allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed an ex parte motion seeking to block the accounts pending the conclusion of its investigations. According to the EFCC, preliminary findings revealed that the accounts were used to warehouse over N661 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The anti-graft agency alleged that Kyari exploited his role as a contract facilitator to launder illicit funds.
The four frozen accounts include two in Kyari’s name and two under the name “Guwori Community Development Foundation.” The accounts are: Jaiz Bank account number 0017922724 in the name of Mele Kyari, Jaiz Bank account number 0018575055 belonging to Guwori Community Development Foundation, and Jaiz Bank account number 0018575141 belonging to Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief.
The EFCC received a petition on April 24 from the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law against Kyari. An investigation was launched, and bank records, corporate filings, and individuals linked to the transactions were obtained. The investigation revealed suspicious inflows from NNPCL and oil companies into Kyari’s Jaiz Bank accounts, which were allegedly managed by Kyari through family members acting as fronts.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the EFCC’s request, ordering the temporary freezing of the accounts. The judge adjourned the matter until September 23 for further proceedings. The EFCC argued that freezing the accounts was necessary to preserve the funds pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.
Kyari’s tenure as NNPCL boss ended in April when President Bola Tinubu dissolved the board and management of the company. The EFCC’s investigation into Kyari’s activities is part of a broader probe into the management of refinery rehabilitation funds.
The freezing of Kyari’s accounts is a significant development in the ongoing investigation. If found guilty, Kyari could face severe penalties, including imprisonment and asset forfeiture. The case highlights the EFCC’s efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability in Nigeria’s public sector.
