A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts in Jaiz Bank linked to the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over allegations of fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Ogechi Ujam.
The EFCC had requested a 60-day freeze to allow for the completion of an ongoing investigation. However, Justice Nwite granted a 30-day freeze, noting it could be extended if needed.
According to Ujam, the accounts are under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering linked to Kyari. The four Jaiz Bank accounts identified include:
0017922724 (Mele Kyari), 0017922724 (Mele Kyari), 0018575055 (Guwori Community Development Fund), and 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief)
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said:
“I have listened to the counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and the written address attached. I find that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
The case was adjourned to September 23, 2025, for the EFCC to provide updates.
The EFCC’s motion was based on findings that the accounts are central to an ongoing investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust. The agency said its preliminary investigation uncovered N661,464,601.50 in suspected illicit funds spread across the four accounts.
The commission also stated that Kyari allegedly opened and controlled the accounts—using family members as fronts—to receive questionable inflows from NNPC and oil companies with business ties to the corporation.
The EFCC said its investigation was initiated following an April 24 petition from a group called the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law.
