By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Mr. Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over allegations of fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ogechi Ujam, moved an ex-parte application.
Ujam told the court that investigations were still ongoing adding that the commission required more time to conclude its findings.
In granting the application, Justice Nwite held:
“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 a progress report.
According to court documents (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1641/2025), the EFCC sought the order to freeze the identified accounts owned by Kyari, “who is currently under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering.”
The affected accounts are:
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari (duplicate listing in court filing)
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation
Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief
The EFCC argued that the accounts are linked to suspicious transactions involving alleged misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust.
A supporting affidavit deposed by EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi revealed that the commission received a petition dated April 24 from Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law, accusing Kyari of financial impropriety.
Abdullahi stated that preliminary findings showed about ₦661,464,601.50, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was traced to the frozen accounts.
He further alleged that:
The funds were traced to Kyari through multiple accounts in Jaiz Bank.
Suspicious inflows were received from NNPC and oil companies dealing with the corporation.
The accounts were managed by Kyari through family members allegedly acting as fronts.
Some transactions were disguised as payments for a purported book launch and NGO activities.
The EFCC said it had written to Jaiz Bank for detailed records and placed a temporary “no-debit” order on the accounts, which would expire after 72 hours without a court order.
The commission maintained that freezing the accounts was necessary to preserve the funds, pending the conclusion of its investigation and possible prosecution.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
