The Federal High Court in Abuja has temporarily frozen four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to former NNPCL Group Managing Director Mele Kyari. The order, issued by Justice Emeka Nwite after an ex-parte application from the EFCC, follows allegations of fraud connected to the accounts.
Although the commission requested a 60-day freeze on the accounts, Justice Nwite limited it to 30 days, with the option for renewal. The EFCC stated that the freeze was needed due to an ongoing investigation into abuse of office, conspiracy, and money laundering.
The listed accounts are: Jaiz Bank 0017922724 (Mele Kyari), Jaiz Bank 0018575055 (Guwori Community Dev.), and Jaiz Bank 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief).
Justice Nwite, acting as vacation judge in case FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, reviewed the application and found it “meritorious,” granting the request as submitted. The matter was adjourned to September 23, at which time the EFCC is expected to provide an update on any further developments.
The EFCC stated in an affidavit that its investigation showed the bank accounts were tied to criminal proceeds. The agency requested to freeze the funds until the probe and any prosecution are complete. According to the EFCC, its Special Investigations unit received a petition on April 24 from the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law concerning the former NNPCL boss.
The investigation found that N661,464,601.50, suspected to be proceeds of illegal activity, was kept in four accounts linked to Mele Kolo Kyari, former GMD of NNPC. Kyari reportedly opened several Jaiz Bank accounts used to receive suspicious funds from NNPC and related oil companies.
Bank records indicate that Kyari controls these accounts through family members acting as fronts. The transactions were disguised as book launch payments and NGO activities. EFCC has requested detailed account information from Jaiz Bank and issued a temporary no debit instruction for 72 hours, pending a freeze of these accounts during the investigation
